‘Grandma. Doubtfire ‘Postpones Broadway reopens until April’

The Broadway musical “Mrs. Doubtfire, “that temporarily closed last month as Omicron beat New York, announced on Friday that it would delay reopening until April 14, a month later than expected, to give the movie theater economy more time to recover. .

The show’s lead producer, Kevin McCollum, said: “The good news is that it seems the virus is easing, but there are still a lot of unknowns. “Obviously April is a better time to open up, given the travel industry trends and thinking about when families and groups of friends will start to feel comfortable.”

The hiatus left the show’s cast, crew, and musicians out of work (at least for “Doubtfire”), but McCollum said he thinks it’s the best way to try to keep his job. they last longer. And on Friday, he said he had invited the entire cast to return, and hoped that they would.

The musical, which was adapted from the hit 1993 film, has been on a bumpy road: After an out-of-town run at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater, it begins pre-screening on Broadway on the 9th. March 2020, just three days before the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Close all cinemas. After 19 months hiatusthe show resumed its previews last October and opened on December 5, coming mixed reviewsjust like Omicron is causing cases to spike again.

“If there was an award for the worst moment for a producer, I would take it,” McCollum said. “My timing is terrible.”

But McCollum said he believes the program will be a success given the opportunity, and he is committed to trying to keep his company’s jobs, many of whom have worked on the show for several years.

“The easiest route would be to say, ‘OK, we’re done,’ but the show tells us we’re not done,” he said. “We never got our sea legs because of Omicron.”

One more advantage to reopening in April: Tony nominees and those who voted not to see the show before its hiatus began on January 10 will now have another chance to do so. so before their vote. (This year’s Tony schedule has yet to be announced, but the season is expected to end at the end of April, followed by nominations, voting, and awards ceremonies.)

“Mrs. Doubtfire” is written by Karey Kirkpatrick, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and John O’Farrell, and directed by Jerry Zaks. The show’s second production is expected to begin performances. in Manchester, Englandin September.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” is the first of three Broadway shows announced temporary closure as the rise of Omicron causes audience numbers to dwindle – “To Kill a Mockingbird” closes on January 16 and says it will reopen at another cinema on January 1 6, while “Girl from the North” closed on January 23 and said it hopes to reopen in the spring. (Six other shows have closed for good.)

Unions representing the actors and musicians did not immediately respond to requests for comment on “Mrs. Doubtfire Plan”. D. Joseph Hartnett, director of visual effects at the International Alliance of Theater Workers (IATSE), said that his union, which represents the celebrities, has yet to receive word about the show and “ that production was and still is officially closed. ”