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Godspell revival latest postponement casualty on Broadway

20.08.2008 17:01 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

Yet another Broadway musical expected to open this fall is being postponed, with producers of the musical Godspell pulling out of their engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

"I am devastated that, due to the loss of a major investor in the harsh reality of a slowing economy, there were no other options at this time than to postpone," producer Adam Epstein said Tuesday in a statement.

The musical, a revival of Stephen Schwartz's 1970s production, had been set to open Oct. 23.

It is the fourth production to withdraw from the fall slate.

Producers of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf also cancelled its planned September opening after a backer pulled out.

The revival of the Ntozake Shange play had been touted as the Broadway debut of Grammy Award-winning singer India.Arie.

Two other highly anticipated musicals also met some trouble recently. A revival of Brigadoon was unable to find berth at a theatre and has been pushed back to spring 2009.

Nice Work If You Can Get It, a new musical starring Harry Connick Jr. that draws on songs from George Gershwin's canon, is looking for a replacement after director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall withdrew from the project. Marshall last worked with Connick in the acclaimed 2006 musical revival of The Pajama Game.

Despite the postponements, there are always other productions waiting in the wings for a chance at a Broadway run.

Godspell's demise has translated into good news and a bout of musical chairs for two David Mamet plays.

A revival of Speed-the-Plow quickly took over both Godspell's spot at the Barrymore as well as its Oct. 23 opening date.

Another Mamet revival, American Buffalo, will find a home at the Belasco Theatre — where Speed-the-Plow was originally to play — and an opening on Nov. 17.

With files from the Associated Press

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