Festen to close earlyon the 20 May 2006.

Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin yesterday, 15 May 2006, announced that Festen is to close at the Music Box Theatre on the 20 May, the play had been booking to the 30 Jul 2006. When the show closes it will have played 20 previews and 49 regular performances

Festen, David Eldridge's adaptation of the Danish film of the same name, was a hit with London audiances and critics alike. The show then moved to London's West End's Lyric Theatre, backed by Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin, the same producers who brought the play to Broadway, for a successful run.

However, for its Broadway outing the play has not been received well. Broadway critics were unanimous in their panning of the production, New York Times wrote "This Empty house is still waiting to be haunted" and Star-Ledger called it "A stinking misconception on Broadway." The show has also struggled at the box office playing to less then 40% capacity.

Festen: A beloved patriarch, surrounded by his wife, his daughter, his two sons and a host of family and friends, is celebrating his 60th birthday at his country home. This promises to be a very special occasion, but as the evening progresses, the man's eldest son, Christian, feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a family secret. Standing to propose a toast, he offers his father - much to the delight of the guests - an amusing yet simple choice. And so the games begin. Revelations and accusations tumble across the dinner table, paving the way for a celebration that no one will ever forget.

The cast for Festen, directed by Rufus Norris (who also directed the London production), features Larry Bryggman (Helge), Ali MacGraw (Else), Juliana Margulies (Helene), Michael Hayden (Christian), Jeremy Sisto (Michael), John Carter (Granfather), Diane Davis (Pia), Keith Davis (Gbatokai), David Patrick Kelly (Poul), Stephen Kunken (Lars), Meredith Lipson (Little Girl), Ryan Simpkins (Little Girl), Carrie Preston (Mette), Christopher Evan Welch (Helmut) and C. J. Wilson (Kim).

The production has set design by Ian MacNeil, costumes by Joan Wadge, lighting by Jean Kalman and sound by Paul Arditti.