Leap of Faith to close on 13 May 2012



The Broadway premiere of Alan Menken's and Glenn Slater's musical adaptation of the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, has posted early closing notices, and will play its final performance on 13 May 2012. When the show closes it will have played 24 previews and 20 regular performances.

The show opened at the St. James Theatre on 26 Apr 2012, following previews from 3 Apr 2012. The musical had recently extended its booking period through to 31 Mar 2013.

The musical opened to negative reviews: This season's black hole (NY Times); Busy, empty, and, worst of all, boring (Back Stage); Attempts entertainment by manipulation (Record); This 'Leap of Faith' never lands (Variety).

In the recent Tony Award nominations, the musical received just one nod, but that was for the highly coveted award for Best Musical. The show did not storm the box office, with last week's house capacity at the 1,620 seat St. James Theatre only 73%.

The producers said, "Although we love our show and very much appreciate both our many award nominations and the joy of our audiences, we have not been able to achieve a sustainable level of ticket sales to continue. We thank all those who worked so hard over so many years to bring Leap of Faith to Broadway."

Leap of Faith: When his traveling ministry breaks down in a small Kansas town, part-time reverend and full-time con artist Jonas Nightingale (Raul Esparza) quickly pitches a tent and invites the locals to a revival. The town sheriff, Marla Humes (Jessica Phillips) is determined to stop him from separating the townspeople from their money.

Directed by Tony-nominated Christopher Ashley (Memphis, Rocky Horror Show) and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), the principal cast features Raul Esparza (Jonas Nightingale), Jessica Phillips (Marla Humes), Kendra Kassebaum (Sam Nightingale), Kecia Lewis-Evans (Ida Mae Robinson), Leslie Odom, Jr. (Isaiah Robinson), Krystal Joy Brown (Ornella) and Talon Ackerman (Jake Humes).

Leap of Faith had its world premier at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, where it played from 11 Sep - 24 Oct 2010. The Los Angeles production was directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, and stared Raúl Esparza as 'Jonas Nightengale,' and Brooke Shields as 'Marva.' The book was written by Janus Cercone - who authored the original screenplay - and by Glenn Slater.

The Paramount 1992 movie Leap of Faith - screen play by Janus Cercone and directed by Richard Pearce - starred Steve Martin as 'Jonas Nightengale' and Lolita Davidovich as 'Marva.'

Raúl Esparza as Jonas Nightingale in Leap of Faith

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