Closing Night

By: Patrick Oliver Jones
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  • Summary

  • Step into the captivating world of Broadway musicals with Closing Night, a theater history podcast unraveling the short lives of musicals and play on Broadway. In Season 1, we explored the turbulent history of the Marquis Theatre, one of Broadway's youngest venues, beginning with the controversial demolitions that birthed its legacy. For Season 2, the focus shifts to some infamous productions that closed before actually opening on Broadway. Relive the excitement and at times artistic chaos that almost brought these musicals to Broadway and what led up to their closing night. Whether you're a theater enthusiast, creative artist, or history buff, you'll enjoy the journeys of theatrical gems that have come and gone.
    @2024 WINMI Media
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Art Entertainment & Performing Arts World
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Episodes
  • Lone Star Love

    Lone Star Love
    Feb 28 2025
    What happens when Shakespeare meets Texas, bluegrass, and a Broadway-bound disaster? Lone Star Love had all the makings of a crowd-pleasing hit—an inventive twist on The Merry Wives of Windsor, music by The Red Clay Ramblers, and a history of successful regional productions. But when the show set its sights on Broadway, everything started to unravel. From an A-list comedian dropping out to Randy Quaid coming in with an oversized codpiece (and even bigger demands), this is a backstage saga filled with twists, turmoil, and a production that never made it to the Great White Way. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the wild journey of Lone Star Love, exploring its promising start, the chaotic Seattle tryout, and the fallout that left Broadway dreams in the dust. With behind-the-scenes drama, big personalities, and a show that spiraled into theatrical infamy, this is a cautionary tale of how even the best-laid plans can go hilariously—and disastrously—off track. Click here to find a transcript for this episode and a full list of materials and resources used. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge

    Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge
    Jan 29 2025
    The idea of an Annie Part II had actually been floating around since 1982, while the original Annie was still on Broadway, and rather than a traditional sequel, the production was framed as a continuation of the original story, beginning six weeks after the events of Annie, with Miss Hannigan devising her revenge from prison. This continuing story was initially set to open on Broadway in 1983, just months after the original closed. However, it would take until June of 1989 before the show would finally announce an opening date, first in Washington, DC then on Broadway. However, what started out as Miss Hannigan’s Revenge became a revenge of a different kind altogether. And the events that followed underscore a broader truth about Broadway (one that resonates throughout the episodes of this podcast): that even the most seasoned and award-winning of creators can still produce a flop. So was the tumultuous journey and hard-knocked life of Annie 2. Click here to find a transcript for this episode and a full list of materials and resources used. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Season 2 is coming!

    Season 2 is coming!
    Jan 28 2025
    Season 2 of Closing Night is finally here—the theater history podcast that takes you behind the curtain to uncover stories about famous and forgotten Broadway show that closed too soon. While season 1 focused on musicals that came and went from the Marquis Theatre, this season I’m tackling a whole new kind of theatrical heartbreak: shows that never actually opened on Broadway. These are the productions that fizzled out during out-of-town tryouts or preview performances, including Lone Star Love, The Little Prince and the Aviator, Lolita, My Love, Let My People Come, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, among others. Episodes start at the end of January and will drop once a month throughout the year, with the first episode being all about Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge, which was actually slated to open at the Marquis Theatre but was canceled after a disastrous run in Washington, DC. Make sure to follow Closing Night on your favorite podcast app and stay connected on Instagram at @closingnightpodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    3 mins

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