I personally don't think shows should run more than 3-4 years on Broadway. Let it recoup its investment and than get it out of there so new productions can open.
For me, it was "Sweeney". In my opinion, it deserved more time, and I was devestated (although not incredibly suprised) when it announced it's closing.
Very hard to say just one....but it would most likely be The Producers.
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
I'm with Michael Bennett. There isn't a single show I can think of who's closing would bother me in the least. Let each hit show have a few good years and then leave. I know the business doesn't work that way and there's no way to change it, but it's ridiculous for some of these great theaters to be tied up for more than a decade with the same damn show.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Wedding Singer is closing, so I've been pretty upset over that. But out of shows that have yet to close? Rent. That's the show that really introduced me to Broadway and the one I have a pretty deep emotional investment in.
It's a show; "devastated" is an awfully strong word for a show closing.
The show I'd be most upset to see go is Rent, but I'd hardly use devastation in the hypothetical sense. Not that it hasn't had a great, healthy run by logical standards, but I'll still be sad when the time comes, for no reason other than that I love it so deeply. I'm not the sort of person for whom logic easily kicks emotional response... I can't really help that. =P
I don't mind long runing shows at all.. when they are well kpt. But I think it is sad when a great production/show is left to play and waste away in quality due to lack of upkeep. You know?
RENT. I know that this show has seen better days, but it was the first show to really touch my heart and show me how powerful and moving musical theatre can be. I saw it first in high school, when I was in the process of coming out and it made me feel somewhat less alone in my struggles. Part of me is going to be very sad when I walk past the Nederlander and don't see the marquee anymore someday.
"I personally don't think shows should run more than 3-4 years on Broadway. Let it recoup its investment and than get it out of there so new productions can open."
I agree half. 'cause if I look at the 'new' things coming up (Legally Blonde, Shrek, Dirty Dancing etc.) I'd rather prefer to see other shows 'occupying' the theatres.
For now, I'd say, it'd be a shame if Wicked closes in London, 'cause I'd like to see it a second time
Same goes for A Chorus Line, I'd be smashed, if it'd close, before I get a chance to see an English production of it for the very first time in my life. But as I doubt, I'll manage it to get enough money together to travel to NY and see it in the near future - geez, London revival. Please!
There are no shows I'd be truly upset to see close. I love seeing new shows come in. The one that I would like to see go the least would be RENT.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
It was a shame that Sweeney Todd and The Light in the Piazza, two absolutely brilliant pieces, closed way too early, but of course, they were successful. I'd agree with Michael Bennet and Margo. No closure on Broadway would devestate me.
Evita in London. My friend and I are planning a trip for London in March for sole reason of seeing Evita. If it closes, I'll be just devasted, I love this show so much and are dying to see a real production of it on stage.
Devastated is a strong word and I can't name one show that would cause me to feel this way. I would be upset if Jersey Boys closed but that's not happening anytime soon.
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
I also have to side with Michael Bennett and Margo -- I would never be devastated about any show closing. Sometimes I have been disappointed if it is a show that I want to see and find out it is closing before I can get to NYC. However, I would never be upset if any long running hit closes. Once they close the rights are made available to amateur and regional theatre groups and then I might get a chance to perform in one of them!
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man