By Jennifer R Jones | Posted on January 01, 2017 6:23 PM
Matilda, Something Rotten!, And The Illusionists- Turn Of The Century Closed On January 1, 2017, Playing Their Final Performances Following The Holiday Season.
The New Year Brings A Slew Of Broadway Shutterings
On January 1, 2017, in with the new year, and out with the old shows. While a number of Broadway shows are scheduled to close in coming weeks, today, New Year’s Day, marks the final performance of three shows on Broadway in particular: Matilda, Something Rotten! and The Illusionists.
Beginning with the show that has been running the longest, and will therefore be perhaps the most missed, Matilda the Musical played its final performance today. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl of the same name, Matilda came to Broadway following a successful run in the United Kingdom.
Matilda Delights Audiences With 13 Tony Award Nominations
With a book by Dennis Kelly, and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, Matilda delighted audiences for many years since it began previews on March 4, 2013, followed by an opening night on April 11, 2013. Upon closing, the show has run 1,553 performances, on top of 37 preview performances. Matilda was nominated for 13 Tony Award nominations, winning 5.
These were the awards for Best Book of a Musical for Dennis Kelly, Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Gabriel Ebert, Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Rob Howell, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Hugh Vanstone, and an award for Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre given to the four little girls who switched off playing the title role of Matilda: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon, and Milly Shapiro. Upon closing, the show has brought in an average of 77.92% of its gross potential throughout the run.
“Something Rotten!” Also Plays Its Final Performance Today
Another beloved show also marks its closing date as January 1, 2017. Something Rotten! the hilarious musical comedy with a book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick, and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, began previews on March 23, 2015, followed by an opening night on April 22, 2015.
The show delighted audiences with its ingenious spoof on the invention of the musical in Shakespeare’s time. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning one for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Christian Borle. Borle won that same award for the Drama Desk Awards. The show was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), and produced by Kevin McCollum (Rent, Hand to God, Motown).
Tough Competition For Best Musical
While the show could have won more Tony Awards, it faced a competitive season and the award for Best Musical ended up going to Fun Home. Over the course of its run, it brought in an average percentage reached of gross potential of 59.14%, and had an average audience capacity of 75.87%.
Its best week was the week ending June 28, 2015, when it brought in $1,230,619 over eight performances, and its best week in terms of gross potential was the week ending May 24, 2015, when it brought in $1,064,165, which represented 102.71% of its gross potential at the time.
“The Illusionists” Concludes Its Holiday Engagement
In a much less bittersweet closure, The Illusionists – Turn of the Century also plays its final performance on January 1, 2017.
The reason this occasion is less of a cause for mourning is threefold: first, the show has only been running since November 25, 2016, and is thus just a holiday limited engagement; second, this is the third consecutive holiday engagement that some form of The Illusionists has had over the past three years with a rotating cast of magicians; and third, it’s a magic show, rather than a beloved long-running musical like Matilda and Something Rotten!
Extra Shows During Christmas Week
In any case, it is also worth noting that the show wrapped up performances on this same date. Not including the final week, whose box office figures have not yet been reported, The Illusionists – Turn of the Century brought in an average of 44.10% of its gross potential throughout its run at the Palace Theatre.
While Christmas week brought in a bit more revenue due to the added performance, the show generally brought in less than half of its gross potential throughout the run. Nevertheless, it added some diverse spice of magic to Broadway this holiday season.
