‘Bullets Over Broadway’ to close in New York on Aug. 24

“Bullets Over Broadway,” the first stage musical based on one of Woody Allen’s movies, is a comedy about the difficulties of mounting a stage production in New York. It’s a challenge that the musical’s producers may know well given the show’s own difficulties in attracting audiences in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, producers of “Bullets” announced that the show will close on Aug. 24 following 156 regular performances at the St. James Theatre in New York. The musical, which opened on April 10, was adapted by Allen from his movie and was directed by Susan Stroman.

In recent weeks, “Bullets” has seen its attendance drop off significantly, playing to houses that were between half and two-thirds full. The show, which was one of the most anticipated of the recent Broadway season, received mediocre to negative reviews and failed to win any Tony Awards in June.

Spokesmen for the musical didn’t respond to questions about the show’s finances. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the show cost $14 million and would likely lose most or all of its capitalization.

In a statement on Tuesday, the musical’s producers Letty Aronson and Julian Schlossberg hinted that the show may have a life after Broadway. (Aronson is Allen’s sister and has produced many of his recent movies.)

“We are tremendously proud of this show and every single person involved with it. It has been a true pleasure, and we know that ‘Bullets Over Broadway’ will have a long life in future productions to come,” they said.

“Bullets” stars Zach Braff, in the role originated on-screen by John Cusack, as a young playwright who strikes a Faustian bargain with the mob to get one of his plays produced on Broadway. Marin Mazzie plays the role of stage diva Helen Sinclair, originated in the movie by Oscar winner Dianne Wiest.

The announcement of the “Bullets” closing comes a few days before the Friday U.S. opening of Allen’s latest movie, “Magic in the Moonlight.”

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