Orphans to play final performance on 19 May 2013

Lyle Kessler's Orphans has posted early closing notices and will play its final performance on 19 May 2013, after 27 previews and 37 regular performances.

Orphans opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 18 Apr 2013 following previews from 26 Mar 2013. The play was originally scheduled to play a limited engagement through to 30 Jun 2013.

Patrons holding tickets for the cancelled performances should contact their point of purchase for further assistance.

Orphans, which was recently nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, opened to mostly good reviews: Plunge deep into the well of human frailty and fear, strength and hope, adventure and daring. This one will stay with you (newyorktheatreguide.com); Dispiritingly pallid (NYT); Too timid and tidy to raise the pulse or bulk up the material's thinness (TONY); A bracing theatrical thrill ride (Hollywood Reporter).

Directed by Daniel Sullivan, Orphans stars Alec Baldwin as 'Harold', Tom Sturridge in his Tony-nominated role as 'Phillip' and Ben Foster as 'Treat.'

In Orphans, two orphaned brothers are living in a decrepit North Philadelphia row house. Treat (Foster), the eldest, supports his damaged younger sibling by petty thievery, and makes the house a virtual prison for the seemingly simple-minded Phillip (Sturridge). One night he kidnaps a rich older man; Harold (Baldwin) turns out to have his own motives and becomes the father figure the boys have always yearned for.

Orphans premiered in 1983 at The Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles where it won the Drama-Logue Award. Following its 1985 engagement at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, the play had a successful run at New York's Westside Arts Theatre, and was subsequently produced in London.

Orphans was made into a movie in 1987 starring Albert Finney as 'Henry,' and Matthew Modine as 'Treat'