This is very sad news.
David Byrne’s amazing musical, “Here Lies Love,” is closing on Broadway November 26th.
The show– written with Fat Boy Slim– was a huge hit in 2014 at the Public Theater. When it finally opened on Broadway this summer, I was sure — just as the producers and everyone involved — that it would take off like a rocket.
But “Here Lies Love” had its box office peak three months ago at $950,000. Currently it averages around $650,000 a week despite hitting 84% capacity. It’s an expensive show, too. The Broadway Theater was entirely reconfigured for this production.
The producers say they can’t see a way forward, so better to stop now.
“Here Lies Love” must be nominated for Best Musical next spring, along with several of its performers and the score. Tony nominators must not forget it.
It’s heartbreaking that such a groundbreaking, imaginative, entertaining show couldn’t make it on Broadway. This has been a tough season. But “Here Lies Love” has no Stars– aside from Lea Salonga in a featured scene. It’s also about an odd subject — the rise and fall of the Marcoses in the Philippines. But what a joy it is to be there!
