SHUFFLE ALONG Sets Sudden Broadway Closing After Audra McDonald Departs

[¿Macavity?]

Won't this make Waitress the only new spring musical to survive the summer?

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I totally did not see this coming.

[AnnieBlack]

I happened to look for tickets for tonight, yesterday, and was shocked how many were available. This was the first week that Audra was scheduled to not be in the show, and I think that people really didn't purchase tickets after her extension announcement. I think we will sadly see a huge drop in grosses when they come out next week. Very sad to see this and will be going to see it again this weekend. 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Hasn't Glover already joined the show? 

 

There is a big disclaimer on Telecharge when you buy tickets warning that Audra won't be performing after 7/24. I can totally understand why there is no advance after that date. They really needed to find a Jennifer Hudson level star to take over until she could return to the production. 

 

I don't think Rudin or anyone is blaming Audra. I think this is just a testament to what a box office star she is. 

[MannPhan24601]

Guess Shuffle Along is the Carrie or Chess of the 2015-2016 season except it has much better grosses....

[aaaaaa15]

Yes I knew Audra was a draw, but I didn't realize she was this much of a draw. Good for her at least.

[AnnieBlack]

Remember back when Brian Stokes Mitchell was able to keep a show open- he seemed in the past to be a star in his own right, but those days seem to be over (and his role in the show just not as big as it should be?)

[BroadwayBen]

This makes me so sad.   I'm not angry at Rudin.  He's just responding to sales.  I'm mad that New Yorkers aren't smart enough any more to understand that a new George Wolfe musical with choreography by Savion is worth a night out, even without a "star."   I loved the show.  Was it perfect?  No.  Was it wonderful?  Yes.   I'm sad that there's not an audience that would at least take it through Labor Day.   New Yorkers should be ashamed.  There shouldn't be an empty seat right now. 

[vampire musical]

An American in Paris was expected but this...!!! I guess Audra was selling that show. 

[Call_me_jorge]

In Rudins Terri grids episode he mentioned he had to have a meeting about not recouping and like him writing out the check, I wonder if it was for this.

[evic]

I am betting that the nut for this was on the scale of Wicked.  Salaries for the leads were probably so high, that they could not sustain a long run. That plus royalty payments for songs, large cast, loads of costumes, etc. Music Box is a small theater and they probably couldn't get people to shell out those big premium prices. Also, the presentation on the Tonys fell flat and it didn't do anything to get heavy advances, which I believe, because we would have heard about the bump. The cast must be in shock.

[gypsy101]

wow. I am at Shuffle Along right now (intermission) and it has been phenomenal so far. sad news.

[CindersGolightly]

Please let there be a cast recording, at least.

[Jordan Catalano]

This. Was announced an hour ago and there's still not a thread asking if the last performance will be streamed.

 

Weird. 

[HenryTDobson]

BroadwayBen said: "This makes me so sad.   I'm not angry at Rudin.  He's just responding to sales.  I'm mad that New Yorkers aren't smart enough any more to understand that a new George Wolfe musical with choreography by Savion is worth a night out, even without a "star."   I loved the show.  Was it perfect?  No.  Was it wonderful?  Yes.   I'm sad that there's not an audience that would at least take it through Labor Day.   New Yorkers should be ashamed.  There shouldn't be an empty seat right now. 

 

"

New Yorkers should be ashamed? Really? Sad news indeed, but c'mon.

[MichelleCraig]

Jordan Catalano said: This. Was announced an hour ago and there's still not a thread asking if the last performance will be streamed.

I think it was streamed last night... ??

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Sad news! I'll definitely be seeing this again before it closes. 

Did they ever end up having merchandise?

[Call_me_jorge]

MichelleCraig said: "Jordan Catalano said: This. Was announced an hour ago and there's still not a thread asking if the last performance will be streamed.

I think it was streamed last night... ??

 

"

It could be the untitled Broadway musical!!

[PalJoey]

 

It was a noble experiment. I hope everyone in BroadwayWorld sees it before it closes.

 

[mpkie]

BroadwayBen said: "This makes me so sad.   I'm not angry at Rudin.  He's just responding to sales.  I'm mad that New Yorkers aren't smart enough any more to understand that a new George Wolfe musical with choreography by Savion is worth a night out, even without a "star."   [....]  New Yorkers should be ashamed."

What does it have to do with New Yorkers? We're hardly the audience of Broadway.

[CurtainPullDowner]

New Yorkers don't close shows. If the tourists don't buy ahead, the show is doomed.  They should have replaced Audra with Bernadette Peters, she's a great tapper 

[BroadwayNYC2]

This is shocking. i was by no means a fan of this show, but this is bizarre. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

I'm shocked to hear this and a little sad. I loved this show. Was planning on seeing it with Audra's replacement. Just picked up a ticket for the final two performances. 

[bryan]

very sad I hope it gets a cast cd made soon

 

[swanjewel]

Wow, I'm shocked! Very sad news...

[Brave Sir Robin2]

There are plenty of names they could have tried to get to replace Audra, and maybe they could tailor some of the keys of songs to give more options. I think someone like Samira Wiley, Kerry Washington (although I believe she is pregnant as well, or was recently?), Shanice Williams (if she could play older) or Janelle Monae could have fit the role and been a big draw. (No doubt Audra's replacement was talented, but I didn't know if she was a Brodway debut or a star replacement.) 

 

That being said, it's cool to see that Audra has gone from being a Broadway darling to a box office draw. Same could be said for Kelli O'Hara.