Opening/Closing on Broadway: Shrek, White Christmas, Finian’s Rainbow, Ragtime, Come Fly Away, American Idiot, Altar Boyz, Ragtime

As previously announced, Shrek closed on Broadway on Sunday after an admirable run of 441 performances at the Broadway Theatre. Also closing Sunday was the holiday favorite White Christmas, which played out its limited engagement at the Marquis.

And last week a shocker of an announcement hit Broadway audiences that another of the critically acclaimed productions that just opened – Finian’s Rainbow – will be playing its last performance on Jan 17. Coming on the heels of the Ragtime closing announcement, a number of big names like Matthew Broderick are doubting the lasting power of anything that’s not a “sure bet” in this economy…

But, along with the closings and bemoaning came some happier news: Producer James L. Nederlander announced that Come Fly Away, Twyla Tharp’s Frank Sinatra inspired musical, will open March 25. The musical, originally titled Come Fly With Me, played a sold-out engagement last year at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.

And it’s official: another out-of-town favorite, American Idiot, is taking over at the St. James on April 10. If you haven’t yet heard of this show, you soon will – the creative team is an incredible assembly of Broadway big-hitters, and if the reviews from its Berkely Rep run are any indication – this show may be a contender for many of those looking for one of Broderick’s “sure bet[s].”

Closing this week are Off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz and the extended run of Broadway’s Ragtime.

If we’ve learned anything from 2009 it’s this: if there’s anything on Broadway you’ve been dying to see, see it now! Unless it’s Phantom of the Opera or Wicked, there’s no guarantee it’ll be around beyond next week.

4 responses to “Opening/Closing on Broadway: Shrek, White Christmas, Finian’s Rainbow, Ragtime, Come Fly Away, American Idiot, Altar Boyz, Ragtime”

  1. Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?

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  2. Hi, ur blog is really nice and interesting, I have bookmark it & anxiously waiting for ur new post.

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  3. ooh! wow I had no idea there was a musical of shrek on broadway. thanks for the link. the picture on the shrek broadway musical home page reminds me of a pic of a couple who literally dressed up like shrek and fiona on their wedding day, all decked out from head to toe green!

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    1. It’s a great show, too! If a national tour of the show swings your way, definitely go see it. Everything to love about the movie(s) mixed with everything to love about musical theater. I wish it were still on Broadway.

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