Radio Golf Closes In On Bunker
Radio Golf Closes In On BunkerAfter scratching at this year's Tony Awards, the Kenny Leon-helmed Radio Golf has posted its closing notices. Despite its nomination for Best Play, the last work by August Wilson will shutter July 1.
The stirring work has been one of the least attended shows on Broadway since its opening. While capacity reached as high as 60%, it was down to 47.4% last week.
All totaled, the play will have enjoyed only 64 performances at Broadway's Cort Theatre. However, prior to its Rialto berth, Radio Golf played extensively throughout the United States in seven cities from coast to coast (I caught the show during its swing through Chicago).
The closing notice was posted late yesterday, shortly after that for the Tony Award-winning Best Revival of a Musical Company.
According to New York Post's Michael Riedel, Grey Gardens may also be in critical condition, despite having won three Tonys, including for both Christine Ebersole and Mary Lousie Wilson. Riedel says that Jujamcyn Theaters is already "looking for the Walter Kerr Theatre's next tenant. The likely candidate is Harvey Fierstein's new musical, A Catered Affair."
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for Radio Golf tickets.
Related Stories:
Did Critics Find Radio Golf Up To Par? (May 8, 2007)
Radio Golf (The SOB Review) - Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL (February 7, 2007)
Did Critics Find Radio Golf On Par With Wilson's Other Works? (January 25, 2007)
Radio Golf Tunes Into Chicago Opening Tonight (January 23, 2007)
Reports: August Wilson's Radio Golf To Swing Into Cort (January 15, 2007)
Labels: August Wilson, Broadway, Closing Notices, Play, Radio Golf
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, June 13, 2007
6 Comments:
What a funny and beautiful play. I'm so sorry that more people have not gone to see it.
I wish more had the opportunity, but perhaps many -- like me -- saw it elsewhere on its journey to New York, and hopefully many more will have a chance to see what I'm sure will be plenty of regional productions of the play.
While I was pretty interested in seeing Company, I was most defnitely looking forward to Radio Golf after reading your review of it from Chicago. No Sondheim, no August Wilson. It's so sad. While there are still plenty of other shows I want to see, I was so looking forward to seeing works from these two giants of American theatre. Now, I just have to hope that Grey Gardens hangs on until the end of July!
Esther - Just as Radio Golf wound its way throughout the United States prior to Broadway, I would certainly expect regional theatre companies eager to celebrate the legacy of August Wilson to mount his last work.
As for Grey Gardens, Michael Riedel of New York Post reports this morning that there has been enough of a box office bounce from the Tonys to ensure its survival through the end of summer!
My husband and I had tickets for Radio Golf for late July. If they weren't playing to a large enough house, I can understand their need to close. But the summer tourist season had barely started--maybe that would have boosted ticket sales.
TAW, I can certainly appreciate your disappointment with the timing of the closing notice. Unfortunately, even after having been highlighted on the Tonys, the production apparently got no box office bump. In fact, last week's box office slumped by an additional 2.7% resulting in a capacity of just 44.7% and a gross of only $165,591. That despite the beginning of summer.
I think what has also contributed to its paltry box office numbers is that the play performed throughout the United States extensively prior to making it to Broadway. Let's just hope that regional productions will proliferate so individuals in the same position as you will have an opportunity to see this fine work.
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