So much for little-known Norwegian comedies surviving on brutal commercial Broadway. The new play “Elling,” which opened on Sunday and stars Denis O’Hare (a Tony Award winner for “Take Me Out”) and Brendan Fraser (“The Mummy” movies), will close this Sunday after 22 previews and nine regular performances, a spokeswoman for the production said on Thursday.
The play, about two roommates from a mental institution who are adjusting to life on the outside in Oslo, had a well-received run in London; the Broadway version, which also features Jennifer Coolidge, Richard Easton and Jeremy Shamos, drew praise from theater critics for the performances — particularly Mr. O’Hare’s — but mixed reviews over all.
“Elling” is the latest Broadway play that has had a tough time filling seats, in this case at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, a relatively large house for such an intimate play. The production earned only $145,070 for its eight performances last week, with the producers offering many tickets at a sharp discount. The average paid admission was $22.03, about half as much as the next low performer, the new play “A Free Man of Color,” earned that week.
Mr. O’Hare, who is enjoying more success as a vampire king on the HBO series “True Blood,” was among the first to put out the word that the show was closing. In a note on his Facebook page he wrote: “If you want to see Elling, ya better hurry. We are being closed down this Sunday … yup. Our producers will go no further. Happy Thanksgiving!” The production was directed by Doug Hughes (“Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” “Doubt”).
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