Putting It Planely: And Another One Down
Putting It Planely: And Another One DownThis afternoon, the producers of the 2008 Tony Award Best Revival of a Play Boeing-Boeing announced that the show that's been pressurized for laughter will close its cabin doors for good. The show will close at Broadway's Longacre Theatre on January 4, 2009.
Personally, I found this show to be one of those rare, laugh-out-loud absurdly funny shows. Making it a joy to see was British actor and onetime Wisconsin resident Mark Rylance, who earned a very well-deserved Tony Award for his hilarious portrayal of befuddled Wisconsinite Robert. But it was Rylance who ultimately befuddled Tony viewers with what was surely one of the most unusual acceptance speeches in years.
Helmed by Matthew Warchus, the revival of Marc Camoletti's farce (translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans) first landed in London nearly two years ago with Rylance leading the cast. Then, the show opened on Broadway on May 4, 2008, with Rylance reprising his role, alongside Christine Baranski, Bradley Whitford, Gina Gershon, Kathryn Hahn and the Tony-nominated Mary McCormack. Rylance and Baranski remain in the show.
In recent weeks, Boeing-Boeing's box office has been in a holding pattern around the 60% capacity level. But with economy crashing and burning, and having recouped their initial investment, the producers are closing out the very successful revival on a high note, and plans are aloft for a 45-week national tour. When Boeing-Boeing finally closes, it will have played 280 performances.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Boeing-Boeing, Bradley Whitford, Broadway, Christine Baranski, Closing Notices, Gina Gershon, Kathryn Hahn, Mark Rylance, Mary McCormack, Matthew Warchus, Play, Revival
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, December 02, 2008
5 Comments:
Maybe it'll be something I get to see on tour then, I wondered how it would be. I'd like to see Christine Baranski live at some point.
Dale, I'm a huge fan of Christine Baranski, but this is really Mark Rylance's show. I'm hoping Baranski will come back in a star vehicle.
Roxie and I made sure to see it before Mary McCormack and Bradley Whitford left. Definitely worth seeing them, but as you said, it is entirely Rylance's affair. A genius comic performance all around.
Not surprised it's closing the showrunners never even put up pictures on their website of new cast members in the parts! The only update to the site done was to take down any picture with anyone other than Mark and Christine in it.
I saw this show three times with the original cast; I just can't believe it didn't run for years!
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