Toronto ‘LOTR’ musical to close

The mammoth stage production of “The Lord of the Rings,” which was mostly panned by critics, is closing in Toronto. Producer Kevin Wallace said Wednesday that the $24-million, 3 1/2 -hour show would close Sept. 3.

“We’re doing respectable but we’re not sold out. The scale of this show needs that,” Wallace said at a news conference. “The costs are 50% more than ‘The Lion King’ to run, so it [the theater] must be full.”

It was announced last week that “The Lord of the Rings,” believed to be the most expensive show ever mounted, will open in London next year -- trimmed, tightened and reworked since its Toronto premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre in March.