This weekend sees the exits of several Broadway productions – The Balusters, Chess and Celebrity Autobiography – either due to the preplanned end of a limited run or, in a couple cases, some dwindling audience demands.
Whatever the reasons, the departures signal the start of Broadway’s summer dog days, when the crowded spring line-ups thin out in the wake of Tony Award disappointments, warm-weather competition for tourist bucks and the inevitable making-way for fresh new fall shows just around the corner.
Here’s a look at the shows that’ll be leaving Broadway in the coming weeks:
- The Balusters, Closing June 21. David Lidsay-Abaire’s funny, pointed comedy about a group of self-serving neighbors tasked with enforcing the landmark rules of their little corner of the world will end its limited engagement at the Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The production opened on April 21 and had two extensions. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Chess, Closing June 21. The much anticipated musical revival announced recently that it would close nearly three months earlier than originally expected, almost certainly the result of star Lea Michele’s June 21 exit. Although singer-songwriter Joanna “JoJo” Levesque had been scheduled to take over the role well into September, producers no doubt noticed that Michele’s occasional absences from the show due to illness or vacation saw ticket sales plummet. The musical was a Tony Award shut-out, and Michele failed to get nominated. Read why Deadline thought Chess was one of Broadway’s 2025 “Misses” here.
- Celebrity Autobiography, Closing June 21. Another early closer – this specialty production, in which a rotating cast of celebrities read the (supposedly) unintentionally funny memoirs of other celebrities, was planned for a summer-long run, but audience lack of interest and critics’ lack of luster reviews put the kibosh on that. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Death Becomes Her, Closing June 28. The open-ended run of this critically acclaimed musical from the 2024-2025 Broadway season is being cut short due to dwindling box office in recent months at the the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. A multi-year North American tour launches this September. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Giant, Closing June 28. The limited run of the acclaimed, hit play starring Tony-winner John Lithgow is coming to its pre-scheduled close. Read Deadline’s review here.
- The Fear of 13, Closing June 28. Starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, the wrongful conviction drama was originally set to run though July 12 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, but dwindling box office and a Tony Awards shut out prompted producers to quietly cancel the final two weeks of performances. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Dog Day Afternoon, Closing July 12. Another limited engagement coming to its pre-scheduled close. The adaptation of the classic 1975 film features Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach taking the roles played by Al Pacino and John Cazale in the movie. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Every Brilliant Thing, Closing August 9. The hit solo play, originally starring Daniel Radcliffe, currently starring Mariska Hargitay and, as of July 7 to star Tracee Ellis Ross, is scheduled to finish its engagement when Ross completes her run on August 9. Read Deadline’s review here.
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Closing August 30. The long-running show based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 hit film, will end a seven-year Broadway run with a final performance on August 30, having been given a month-long extension following a previously announced July 26 closing date. Read Deadline’s review here.
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