SHUFFLE ALONG Sets Sudden Broadway Closing After Audra McDonald Departs

[GreasedLightning]

With all this talk about The Color Purple... Maybe Rhiannan could replace Hedeley when she departs Purple? 

Kidding. 

On a serious note, how is the rest of the run selling? I'm assuming it's close to sold out. 

[WhizzerMarvin]

I went to the box office yesterday and was able to buy four tickets to the final performance, so there are definitely still some seats available. 

[HogansHero]

dramamama611 said: "I wasn't providing a choice....I was actually asking who could they get that had both box office draw and the talent to do the role justice as a triple threat, and yes, that would be a likely actual option to do it.  "

I understand that. All I was saying is that they would not have to find someone who was both-all that would have been required was a high powered box office draw. Think Josh Groban (not for the role, obviously )

[carnzee]

dramamama611 said:

Yes, I think its foolish to have taken this on knowing about her leave of absence....even before the pregnancy however, they did.  

I think Rudin & Co hoped that the show would be a smash that could withstand Audra's leave of absence for Lady Day. That didn't pan out.

 

 

 

 

[Mr Roxy]

Just talking from our perspective but we would have enjoyed it just as much had she not been in it. Yes she is good and has won a boatload of Tonys but to us it was more of an ensemble piece. All of the cast plus the choreography and costumes and story etc were enough for us to enjoy it. One of the better shows we have seen and it deserved a much better fate. Rudin is a fool for not having a star replacement to fill in when she was to do Lady Day. This closing should not have happened. Surprised as Rudin is  supposed to be a gee whiz kid. He dropped the ball big time on this time.

[aaaaaa15]

I agree, I enjoyed it without her and her understudy was great. I know that doesn't matter if it doesn't sell tickets but it's a shame, as she really isn't the lead in this, it is an ensemble piece.

[Phantom of London]

On a positive note it is great that the shows longevity is reliant on a Broadway star, that only really does theatre, not someone from the movies or television,

[aaaaaa15]

True, at least it's not a mediocre 'name' performer.

[Call_me_jorge]

^wouldnt the people who are seeing Audra also be fans of Billy, Brian, Brandon Joshua and Adrienne? Like mostly theatres fans are aware of Audra and are going to see shuffle along. 

[Sunny11]

Names are names for a reason. They usually became famous enough due to their talent. 

How is success a bad thing? 

 

 

[aaaaaa15]

Sunny11 said: "Names are names for a reason. They usually became famous enough due to their talent. 

How is success a bad thing? 

 

 

"

People can have a great performance in a film or a television show or as a recording artist but not be as effective in a musical. Of course, I'm not speaking about all of them but it is certainly the case for a few.

[Sunny11]

Audra McDonald is a TV name too. She was on Private Practice and the 1999 Annie TV movie with Victor Garber and several other gigs. 

[aaaaaa15]

Sure, but in 2016 she is predominantly known for theatre.

[HogansHero]

Sunny11 said: "Audra McDonald is a TV name too. She was on Private Practice and the 1999 Annie TV movie with Victor Garber and several other gigs. "

Being a TV name means nothing. We are talking about people who sell a statistically significant number of tickets based on their TV (or film or music industry) name. Surely you are not suggesting Audra sells a lot of tickets on the strength of those gigs. 

[Sunny11]

Private Practice averaged about 9 million viewers an episode during the time when Audra was a series regular. It's logical to assume that she built a  not insignificant fan base from that on top of her following from the theater. 

[HogansHero]

@sunny-you are missing the point but whatever. To repeat, she does not sell a significant number of tickets on the strength of TV. "Not insignificant fan base" ≠ significant ticket sales. 

[indytallguy]

In case it is of interest, All that Chat has a few threads on this subject, particularly the show's marketing and possible audience.  

Some of it is interesting. Some of it is a little infuriating.I was a tad surprised at how many posters seemed perfectly comfortable opining on when Audra should start and end her pregnancy leave as if they have any idea of her actual physical condition.

ATC discussion on Shuffle Along Marketing:

ATC discussion on broadwayblack.com on SHUFFLE ALONG.....closing

[The Other One]

The problem here is that no one cares about the history of a show called "Shuffle Along."  In the midst of season-ending Tony hoopla the show got a lot of attention.  Then it won no Tonys.  As for Audra's pregnancy, congratulations to Audra and Will are far more in order than complaints about the effect her departure is having on the box-office.  She probably could have sustained interest in it long enough for the producers to hope word-of-mouth would work in their favor, but there was no guarantee.  Producing this show at such a level was an admirable but risky gamble.  

[AnnieBlack]

This may be an odd theory, but don't producers take out insurance on performers if they can no longer perform? Would her pregnancy fall under an act of god in a sense? Again, total speculation and someone who knows about star insurance may be able to shoot down this theory quickly, but the July closing is odd...

[HogansHero]

star insurance is extremely expensive and would not normally be considered prudent. Even where they exist, they are filled with loopholes, limits, parameters and high deductibles. 

[yankeefan7]

Bummed out because I wanted to see it, planned a quick weekend trip to NYC at end of August to see a few show. Oh well - lol.

[icecreambenjamin]

I was actually planning to go see it next week.  I saw it about a month ago (loved it!), but my tickets were a gift from a friend and I didn't ask about the price.  I just looked up the cost and was appalled by the extremely high ticket price.  No wonder the show is closing with those prices.

[indytallguy]

Um, the show has been running close to capacity with their existing price structure.

[Phantom of London]

Insurance would be void here, because she has already announced she was leaving for London, maybe the London production has insurance to guard against this.

[macnyc]

I just bought tickets for the Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m. performance using the Theater Mania code, in case anyone is interested. I think Audra is scheduled to perform that night, but I wouldn't blame her a bit if she's not there. I think I will enjoy the show with her understudy, and my friend says not to miss the show, either with Audra or without!

[EthelMae]

Not sure if Audra is in or out tonight or tomorrow-TDF doesn't say so, but it's on TKTS tonight and TDF tomorrow. So, if it's available with Ms. MCDonald, I guess the Producers got wary.