Woman in White to close on Broadway

Published Tuesday 7 February 2006 at 17:35 by Judd Hollander

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway production of The Woman in White will close on February 19, after a run of only 109 performances and 20 previews.

Bob Boyett, one of the show’s producers, pointed to the continuing health problems of several performers in the Broadway company as the main factor for posting the closing notice.

“Unfortunately, early in previews, the show experienced a number of medical problems among the cast,” Boyett said. “Maria Friedman performed admirably through a diagnosis of breast cancer and its treatment and Michael Ball battled a serious viral infection.

“As a result of these and other health issues among the company, audiences saw the entire original cast perform just 31 of the 108 performances played to the date of the announcement since the show’s first preview.”

Lloyd Webber added: “There have been performances when two or more leads have been absent due to illness. I’m not sure even The Phantom of the Opera could have survived the illnesses that have beset this wonderful company.”

While it had been previously announced that Friedman would temporarily leave The Woman in White following the February 12 performance to begin a six-week period of chemotherapy, she will instead stay with the show until it finishes its Broadway run a week later.

Although health problems to its company members may have been a factor in the decision to close The Woman in White, the show also suffered lacklustre reviews on opening and has been struggling at the box office.

The New York Times said the production “seems to exist wilfully and unconditionally in two dimensions,” while Variety called it “sadly hollow.” During the week of January 23-29, the musical played to only 58% of capacity, which was down from 60% the previous week.