"The Miracle Worker" to close on Broadway after only 38 regular performances

From The New York Times:

After only 21 preview performances and 38 regular performances, the Broadway revival of William Gibson’s play “The Miracle Worker” will close next April 4 at Circle in the Square Theater, the producers David Richenthal and Dini von Mueffling said on March 28.

The show cost $2.6 million to mount and will close at a total loss to its producers and investors, a spokesman for the show said.

The story of a young Helen Keller (Abigail Breslin, pictured) learning to communicate under the guidance of her teacher, Annie Sullivan (Alison Pill, right), “The Miracle Worker” opened on March 3 to mixed reviews and never managed to attract much of an audience.

The show’s grosses during full weeks of eight performances were uneven, ranging from $165,000 to $256,000. Mr. Richenthal had secured financing this month to keep the show running through mid-April in hopes of capturing a share of the school vacation market. He then left New York to tend to health issues, leaving his decision-making authority about the show to Ms. von Mueffling, his wife.

In response to questions about why the show would not run until at least until mid-April, Ms. von Mueffling said in a statement: “In spite of additional advertising, ticket sales did not pick up as much as we thought they would. Closing is the only fiscally prudent choice, as difficult and sad a decision as it is.”