A Life in the Theatre closes early on Broadway

The Broadway premiere of David Mamet's A Life in the Theatre closes at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 28 Nov 2010, five weeks earlier than scheduled. When the show closes it will have played 24 previews and 48 regular performances.

The show, which opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 12 Oct 2010, following previews from 21 Sep, was originally scheduled to play a limited enagement through to 2 Jan 2011.

Directed by Neil Pepe, who directed the revival of Mamet's 'Speed-The-Plow' on Broadway last season, A Life in the Theatre stars Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight.

The show opened to mixed reviews: It is all very, very vague and all very, very tiresome (newyorktheatreguide.com); Never seemed smaller (NY Times); Sluggish revival (NY Daily News); Fast-paced and fun revival (Back Stage); Pretty darn good." (NY1); There isn't much to.. 'it' .. but what there is is quite entertaining." (Record).

Despite its star wattage and opening to mostly good reviews the show has had slow ticket sales, rarely reaching 50% house capacity.

Last season, David Mamet's Oleanna also closed early. The show was scheduled to play through the holiday season and end its run on 3 Jan 2010, but closed early on 6 Dec 2009 due to poor ticket sales.

Describing life in the footlights from an actor's point of view, A Life in the Theatre focuses on the relationship between two thespians: 'Robert,' (Patrick Stewart) an older, experienced performer; and 'John,' (T.R. Knight) a relative newcomer. Though Robert's guidance is welcomed by John at first, as the play progresses Robert falters as an actor and mentor, and John emerges as a mature actor.

Mamet was inspired to write A Life in the Theatre by what he had observed backstage as well as by his own experiences in his early career as an actor.

A Life in the Theatre is produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and Steve Traxler.

A Life in the Theatre had its London premiere at the West End's Apollo Theatre from 27 Jan - 30 Apr 2005. The show starred Patrick Stewart as (Robert) and Joshua Jackson (John), and was directed by Lindsay Posner.