Broadway's Summer Cleaning

The "Circle of Life"

Well, we're now nearly three weeks post-Tony Awards, and the annual purge of shows is fully under way.  Summer, like the dead of winter, can be a slow time on Broadway, and producers pull the plug and cut their losses.  Such is the Broadway Circle of Life, as they say in one show that's staying put.  Whether it is because of bad box office or the end of a limited run, a lot of shows will be gone before Labor Day.  Here's a look at them:

A Raisin in the Sun closed on June 15

CLOSED ALREADY

• Act One closed after its scheduled run on June 15.  31 previews, 67 performances
• A Raisin in the Sun closed after its "strictly limited engagement" on June 15.  27 previews, 85 performances
• Mothers and Sons closed on June 22.  33 previews, 104 performances

After Midnight will close on June 29

SOON TO CLOSE

• After Midnight will close on June 29, after 18 previews and 273 performances.
• All the Way will close on June 29 following its limited engagement after 27 previews and 131 performances.
• Casa Valentina will close on June 29 following its extended limited engagement after 24 previews and 79 performances.

The Realistic Joneses will close on July 8

• The Realistic Joneses will close on July 6, after 27 previews and 105 performances.
• The Cripple of Inishmaan will close on July 20 following its limited engagement after 9 previews and 105 performances.
• Of Mice and Men will close on July 27 following its limited engagement after 31 previews and 118 performances.
• Newsies will close on August 24, after 16 previews and 1,005 performances. (I have to say I'm a little surprised at this one.  Disney probably wants to use the set for the National Tour.)
• Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill will close on August 31 following its extended limited engagement after 20 previews and 141 performances.

And there are a few other shows that might be considering closing up shop, too.  But there is this to look forward to: old shows have to close for new ones to open!

Jeff
5.200