The feminist Broadway musical "Suffs," backed by Hillary Clinton as a lead producer, is set to close after a disappointing eight-month run.
According to a report by Breitbart News, the show, which celebrates the suffragette movement, failed to recoup its $19 million production cost. Despite Clinton's aggressive promotion and favorable media coverage, ticket sales have struggled to cover weekly operational expenses.
Producers announced on Friday that "Suffs" will end its run on January 5, 2025, falling short of expectations for a longer-term engagement. The musical, which features an all-female and gender non-binary cast, opened on April 18, 2024, but has faced challenges in attracting consistent audiences throughout its run.
The closure of "Suffs" highlights the difficult economic landscape for new Broadway productions, especially those without celebrity casts or major brand recognition.
Tourist preferences for family-friendly, crowd-pleasing shows often dominate ticket sales, making it harder for niche productions to gain traction.
Broadway has also been grappling with the impacts of inflation, which has led to increased operational costs. This economic pressure has affected even long-running shows, as evidenced by the closure of "The Phantom of the Opera" last year after more than three decades on stage.
The struggle of "Suffs" to maintain strong attendance numbers became apparent early in its run. In May, just a month after opening, the show reported attendance as low as 78 percent capacity, a concerning figure during what is typically considered prime Broadway season.
Hillary Clinton, along with other notable producers like Meena Harris, niece of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, put significant effort into promoting "Suffs." Clinton made appearances on late-night talk shows and even organized a Democratic fundraiser tied to the musical.
However, these promotional efforts and media attention did not translate into sustained box office success. For the week ending October 6, the show played to just under 78 percent capacity, grossing $679,589 – figures that indicate ongoing challenges in filling seats and meeting financial targets.
Despite its Broadway closure, "Suffs" producers have announced plans for a national tour set to begin in Seattle late next year. This move suggests a strategy to reach broader audiences outside of the competitive New York theater scene.
The early closure of "Suffs" may prompt discussions within the theater industry about the viability of politically themed productions and the challenges of marketing shows that cater to specific audience segments. It also raises questions about the impact of high-profile backers on a show's commercial success.
In conclusion, the closure of "Suffs" after only eight months on Broadway represents a significant setback for its producers and creative team. Despite the involvement of Hillary Clinton and positive media coverage, the musical failed to find a large enough audience to sustain its run. The show's struggles underscore the challenging nature of Broadway economics and the difficulties faced by new productions in the current theatrical landscape.
