19Closing the Show

A show closes for two reasons: it is either at the end of its scheduled run, or box office receipts are down and it is no longer financially feasible for the producer to keep the show running.

The Closing Notice

It all starts with the official two-week-closing notice from the producer, which is posted on the callboard. A producer can close a show at any time, giving no notice. The producer is, however, bound by Equity agreement to either post a two-week notice or pay the actors two weeks’ salary. A similar agreement exists between the producer and the stagehands’ union, IATSE.

Feelings

For every opening of a show there comes a closing. The opening was joyous, and for the most part the closing is sad. No matter how seasoned ...

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