While One Broadway Show Closes, Another (Might) Open

It seems like it's been all bad news for Broadway lately, with one show after another closing its doors by January. Playbill reports that Boeing Boeing, the 2008 Tony winner for Best Revival of a Play, will close Jan. 4.

The positive news for producers is that Boeing-Boeing, unlike most of the other recently-closed or soon-to-close productions, has recouped its initial $2.65 million investment. A U.S. tour is being planned for Fall 2009; no casting has yet been announced for the tour, according to Playbill.

Producer Sonia Freedman said in a statement:

Not only was Boeing-Boeing a critical and financial success, returning a significant profit to its investors, but it reintroduced a forgotten contemporary comedy, brilliantly re-imagined by Matthew Warchus, to a new generation of theatregoers. We chose to close the show when the current cast members' contracts all expired and to end on a high note rather than forge through the challenges of January and February in a weak economy. I am extremely proud of this production and join my producing partners in congratulating the immensely talented cast and outstanding creative team who brought it all to hysterical life.

Boeing-Boeing began previews at the Longacre April 19, 2008. It opened May 4. By the time it closes the show will have played 280 performances and 17 previews. Boeing Boeing is just the latest production to announce a premature closing date.

But at the same time, Variety reports that TV writer Marco Pennette (Caroline in the City, Samantha Who?, Ugly Betty) is in talks to write the book for a musical based on the cartoon The Flinstones, aimed for a Broadway production.

From "Pennette pinned to trio of projects":

Pennette's script will rely on contemporary issues: Wilma, for example, mulls leaving Fred because he still acts too much like a caveman and hasn't adapted to more modern ways. Barney and Betty tackle fertility issues before deciding to adopt. Musical will also tackle global warming -- but in this case, as "The Flintstones" takes place before the ice age, the characters will confront "global cooling."

-- Daniel Lehman