Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Broadway: “Camelot” Revival Will Close Next Month After Extension to September Hampered By No Tony Awards and Poor Reviews

For one shining moment, we had “Camelot.” And now, we don’t

The Lincoln Center revival of “Camelot,” which was written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher, is closing next month.

In April, the musical –which received mostly negative reviews — was extended to September.

But earlier this month, “Camelot” didn’t get a single Tony Award. It also probably suffered from the live performance on the Tonys. The actors have great voices but don’t look they’re doing “Camelot.” The first take away was there are NO stars or anyone remotely well known. To do what they wanted they would have needed Norm Lewis, or Daveed Diggs, and Audra McDonald. It was obvious from the Tonys also there is little in the way of sets, which was obvious. People really like sets.And Sorkin’s update took away all the magic of the original.

“Camelot” actually declined at the box office this past week, so there was no upward trend. It’s time put this thing out of its misery. And note to Lincoln Center Theater: please don’t try this again.

PS A really famous actress walked out on an early preview. I was told people were walking out all the time. Oy vey.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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