Shuffle Along To Shutter On July 24

I'm sorry, but how does a show that received ten 2016 Tony nominations decide to up and close? Oh that's right. Because it's star, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald is leaving on July 24. Now don't get me wrong. She has a good excuse. She's pregnant. I just find it hard to believe that a show that played to 99 percent capacity last week doesn't think that it will survive without it's leading lady. Maybe I'm wrong. After all I'm not producing it. Tony and Academy Award winner Scott Rudin is the man with all the money. Here is what Mr. Rubin had to say about his decision in a statement to the press.

Audra McDonald is the biggest star on Broadway, and audiences have been clamoring to see her in this role since the first preview of Shuffle Along in March of this year,” Rudin said in a statement. “She is absolutely extraordinary in the show, and I am filled with gratitude for both her exemplary partnership on Shuffle Along and also for her remarkable resilience and fortitude in doing everything possible to play as many shows as she can, despite the circumstance of her pregnancy.We are thrilled that she and her husband, Will Swenson, are experiencing the opportunity to expand their family — and we wish them all good things as they approach the birth of their child this fall.

It has, however, become clear that the need for Audra to take a prolonged and unexpected hiatus from the show has determined the unfortunate inevitability of our running at a loss for significantly longer than the show can responsibly absorb, and we have decided to close the show when she leaves on July 24. On behalf of myself and George C. Wolfe, I want to say how deeply grateful we are to her for everything she gave and continues to give the show. There is simply nobody like her.”

Now as a producer myself, I can understand his decision. After all at the end of the day it's about money. I just feel bad for the cast and crew who now find themselves out of a job in thirty days. Oh well. That's show business I guess. Shuffle Along will play it's final performance at the Music Box Theatre on July 24. Tickets are still available for it's final weeks. Although if I we're you I wouldn't wait until the last minute to get them, as they will surely be going fast with the announcement of it's closing. Get your tickets to see Shuffle Along at the Music Box Theatre. Time is running out.

JWB
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