9 to 5 to close on Broadway

The producers of 9 to 5 delivered word this afternoon to the cast that the show will close at the Marriott Marquis Theater on Sunday, Sept. 6, after 24 previews and 148 performances, according to a statement.

No reason was provided for the closing of the musical, but the economics of Broadway offer obvious explanation. The show’s initial capitalization exceeded $10 million and its weekly running costs — to pay for the large cast (led by Allison Janney as Violet), several sizable sets and other expenses — were in the high six-figures, according to several people involved with the production. During many weeks the show did not gross enough to cover that weekly nut (let alone earn money back for its investors). For the eight performances from July 20 through 26, “9 to 5” grossed $694,650 and played to a house that was, on average, about 70 percent full.

The start of the fall season is usually a tough time for ticket sales, compared to a summertime New York full of tourists, so the closing of a show around Labor Day weekend is something of a seasonal ritual. (Disney’s musical version of “The Little Mermaid,” for instance, is closing Aug. 30.)

The lead producer, Robert Greenblatt, did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

(Via ArtsBeat)