Wedding Singer to Close 12/31/06

[BlueforBroadway]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952647.html?categoryid=15&cs=1

"Broadway tuner "The Wedding Singer," based on the 1998 Adam Sandler pic, will shutter Dec. 31.

Co-produced by the "Hairspray" team of Margo Lion and New Line Cinema, the tuner has struggled to attract auds since it began perfs March 30.

Recent attempts to drum up biz with the casting of "American Idol" alum Constantine Maroulis proved less effective than hoped. The show, whose weekly grosses dipped below $400,000 in September, has so far earned around $15 million during its Rialto run -- not yet enough to recoup its approximately $8 million capitalization.

The exit of "Wedding Singer" clears the deck for "Curtains," the Kander & Ebb tuner that is the most likely candidate to fill the void at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. (David Hyde Pierce starrer preemed in L.A. over the summer.)

"Wedding Singer" has music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, who wrote the original screenplay.

"Wedding Singer" may still inspire prospective incarnations in Asia, while stock and amateur productions will be licensed through Music Theater Intl. Producers also are in discussions for a 2007 national tour.

When it closes, "Wedding Singer" will have played 30 previews and 284 regular performances. "

[All_For_Laura]

Hate to say it, but we knew it was coming.

[DRSisLove]

Buying my ticket, like...now.

[Mr Roxy]

What a shame but not a surprise

[jv92]

Here comes Curtains! This is exiting news. Sure it's sad that people are out of work, but the show was incredibly mediocre.

[SweetQintheLights]

Aww...this is sad

I hope to see it again like mid-december!!!

Thank you for posting a link!

[allofmylife]

There was a time when 284 performances was a good run.

That was one long time ago.

I didn't like the show much, but I LOVED the opening. And of course, Stephen Lynch.

[Michael Bennett]

Held on waaaay longer than anybody expected, so shed no tears. Just be happy there will be a new show employing a new set of artists.

[bwayondabrain]

i know, i am not suprised, but i really was hoping this wouldn't happen, at least not this soon
i feel so bad for the cast, though, they have to be the most talented cast on broadway! this was really the best show ive ever seen- it was so much fun, and it really doesnt deserve to close.

wow, this ruined my night

but i am just so glad i have tickets for December 29th! 2 days before it closes...

[ikmbway]

Ahh! No! I need to see it again!!

[Mr Roxy]

I enjoyed this & ASU equally. Just flat out entertainment

[popular_elphie]

That's sad . It wasn't a very good show to me, but it's still sad because so many people loved it, and many people will be out of jobs.

[maybethistime]

HOORAY FOR CURTAINS!! Is there any official word yet pertaining to its' move to Broadway?

very sad.
I'm glad I got to see it while I had a chance.

[SweetQintheLights]

Saturday, December 16th, who wants to come with me?!?

I REALLY want to buy tickets for this day but I can't really plan this far ahead- especially with the weather.

Who knows whether the weather will be good.

[little_sally]

I'm sorry to see this show go. It wasn't the best piece of theatre ever offered to audiences but I saw it twice and had loads of fun both times around. I wish it could've lasted longer, considering the cast is just so great. May it have a long and happy road and regional life.

[Mr Roxy]

It should definitely thrive on tour

[xM3L24x]

What a fun show. It's a shame it has to close.

[theaterdude87]

it will do great and had a great run. It had some nomiantions and I think will do great in amateur companies and such.

[Marissa2]

I hope I can see it again before it's gone!

[bwayondabrain]

any word if Constantine will stay with it till the end or not?

[WithoutATrace]

i may go to the closing performance...haven't decided yet though!

[little_sally]

Supposedly Constantine has mentioned at the stage door he's staying until the end, which is a shame because Matthew Saldivar was fantastic as Sammy. My favorite part of the show!

[xM3L24x]

I'm almost positive I read somewhere that it's in Matthew Saldivar's contract that he gets to do the last performance.

[bwayondabrain]

i wish i could switch around my tickets so i could see it the 31st...but oh well, i guess 2 days earlier will be fine

*sigh*