Fans of the musical, Rocky, got word on July 15th that the show will play its final performance on August 17, according to Playbill. The show, which was nominated for several Tony Awards, originally opened on March 13.
Rocky promised to be a crowd pleaser about Rocky Balboa, the boxer who makes a stand in Philadelphia. It featured scenes in innovative dancing boxing ring, charismatic characters, and a Tony Award winning set and lighting design. Ticket sales have dwindled, though, and producers say that it’s time for the musical to throw in the towel.
Some of the reviews at opening weren’t so favorable, particularly about the lead characters, Rocky and Adrian.
Critic Matt Windman at AM New York said, “While Andy Karl deserves credit for enduring so much physically as Rocky, he comes off as too clean cut to be credible in the role. As Adrian, Margo Seibert is stymied by her character being so undeveloped and makes little impression.”
The show, produced by Sylvester Stallone with Stage Entertainment, will have played 188 performances and 8 previews when it closes in August.