The lights have gone out onBroadwayfor theMean Girlsmusical.
On Thursday, the official Twitter account for the Tony-nominated production — which is based onTina Fey’s2004 movie of the same name starringLindsay Lohan,Rachel McAdamsandAmanda Seyfried— announced the show had concluded its Broadway run as theaters remain closed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
“As Karen Smith once said, everything is really two things,” the statement continued. “Yes, this news makes us want to cry into our cheese fries. But this is also only the beginning forMean Girls the Musical,and we have much to look forward to! We’ll see you soon on ourNational Tour, which resumes performances this summer and the upcomingfilm adaptationfrom Paramount Pictures.”
“Regina George would tell us to not care what anyone else thinks, but it has been thrilling for us to watch audiences like you enjoy the show,” the statement concluded. “Thank you for helping us make fetch happen. The limit to our gratitude does not exist.”
The musical adaptation of the smash teen comedy opened on April 8, 2018, at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City. Fey, 50, wrote the book, her30 Rockcollaborator Jeff Richmond wrote the music and Broadway vet Nell Benjamin provided the lyrics. Tony winner Casey Nicholaw also directed and choreographed the show.
The musical played over 804 regular performances and 29 previews and grossed around $124 million, per theAssociated Press.
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In a statement,Saturday Night LiveveteranLorne Michaels— who produced the show — said, “Thank you to the brilliant creative team, cast and crew that broughtMean Girlsto life from our first reading to final performance,” according toThe Hollywood Reporter. “We remain excited to bring this musical to the big screen, relaunch the tour and prepare for a London production. I look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when theaters can open their doors again.”
Added Fey: “The chance to bring this show to Broadway, with such a talented young ensemble and five astounding female leads, has been a dream come true. And to our fierce and dedicated fans — the limit of our gratitude does not exist.”
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Last October, Broadway pushed back its reopening date after the Broadway League — the national trade association that represents the theater industry — announced that all performances would remain shuttered through May 31, 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.
“With nearly 97,000 workers who rely on Broadway for their livelihood and an annual economic impact of $14.8 billion to the city, our membership is committed to re-opening as soon as conditions permit us to do so,” Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League,saidin a statement. “We are working tirelessly with multiple partners on sustaining the industry once we raise our curtains again.”
Broadway has been dark since March 12, when New York GovernorAndrew Cuomoand the Broadway League initially shut the theaters to help stop the spread of the global pandemic.
Previously, the League had set the week of April 13, 2020 as the date when performances would resume, but has sincemoved backthe target datenumerous times. Most recently, it was expected that the shutdown, the longest in Broadway history, would end in January.
At the time of the initial shutdown order, 31 productions were running with 8 new shows still in previews. Additionally, 8 productions were in rehearsals preparing to open in the spring.
source: people.com
