The Broadway revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” will close May 20 after about 15 months on the boards.
The revival of the 1961 musical began previews Feb. 26, 2011, and made it into the black in December, when it recouped its $9 million in capitalization costs. Box office was powered by star Daniel Radcliffe, who helped propel weekly sales above the $1 million mark throughout the tourist-heavy summer months — a time that coincided with the media blitz surrounding the release of the final film in the Radcliffe-toplined “Harry Potter” franchise.
Sales remained strong throughout the rest of 2011, reaching a peak in Radcliffe’s final frames with the production over the holidays. Producers then kept B.O. robust by slotting in a brief, three-week stint for replacement star Darren Criss, who brought in the fanbase he had attracted from his work on “Glee.”
When Criss exited in late January, Nick Jonas took over the central role of young corporate climber J. Pierrepont Finch. Grosses have never reached the same heights since, with reasonably strong frames balanced by less bountiful seshes — such as the week ending May 6, which brought in $367,605 and played to auds at 43% of capacity.
Jonas currently co-stars in the show with Beau Bridges, who took over for John Larroquette when he departed the production with Radcliffe. Rose Hemingway, Michael Urie and Tammy Blanchard also are among the current cast.
Rob Ashford directs and choreographs the revival, which was produced by Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, among others. Show will have played 30 previews and 473 regular perfs when it shutters May 20.
