Tina the musical, the Broadway show based on the life of music icon Tina Turner, was abruptly cancelled yesterday, leaving fans shocked and demanding answers. The cancellation was announced on October 15th, 2023, just a day before the next scheduled performance on October 16th. No official reasoning was initially provided by the producers behind the sudden cancellation, sparking intense speculation among devoted Tina fans.
As a hit Broadway musical that had been running for over 3 years with no signs of slowing down, the unprecedented cancellation seemed to come out of nowhere. Tina the Musical had been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, recouping its $16 million investment in 2019 and grossing over $50 million to date. It was also nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2019, winning 2 including Best Actress in a Musical for Adrienne Warren as Tina Turner. With no warning, Ticketmaster notified ticket holders on October 15th that all future performances were cancelled and that refunds would be issued to disappointed fans.
The unexpected cancellation left fans reeling and urgently seeking explanations. Why would such a hugely popular and profitable show close so abruptly? Several theories quickly emerged, as those closest to the production were just as shocked as audience members.
Background on Tina the Musical
To better understand the situation, it is important to first provide background on the creation and success of Tina the Musical. The idea for a Broadway show about music superstar Tina Turner was originally conceived by producers Tali Pelman and Ron Simons around 2013. They approached Turner about a musical based on her life story and gained her full support. Turner herself was involved in the creative process from the beginning.
The musical focuses on Turner’s difficult childhood and early career with abusive husband Ike Turner, her struggle to break free and go solo in the 1970s, and her massive comeback in the 1980s with hit songs like “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Book writer Katori Hall crafted the story along with directors Phyllida Lloyd and Frank Ketelaar. Oscar winner Adrienne Warren was cast as Tina Turner, with Tony nominee Daniel J. Watts as Ike.
Pre-Broadway and Broadway Success
After successful previews in London in 2018, Tina the Musical opened on Broadway in November 2019 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Reviews were excellent, praising the musical performances, direction, and Adrienne Warren’s uncanny embodiment of Turner. It was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical, winning for Best Actress (Warren) and Best Sound Design.
The show was a box office smash from the beginning, consistently selling out theaters in New York and on tour. In December 2021, producers announced that Tina the Musical recouped its $16 million investment in just two years. The musical grossed over $50 million total and was slated to keep running for the foreseeable future prior to the sudden cancellation.
Theories Behind the Cancellation
With the show doing so incredibly well right up until the abrupt cancellation, theories emerged attempting to explain the shocking decision:
Low Ticket Sales?
Some speculated that Tina was facing declining ticket sales and revenues, forcing a close. However, representatives for the show quickly denied this theory, stating that box office sales and weekly grosses were still excellent. The musical was reportedly consistently grossing over $1 million per week, even in its 3rd year. This theory was dismissed, as low sales do not match the evidence.
Adrienne Warren’s Departure
Another theory involved star Adrienne Warren announcing her intention to leave Tina in November 2023. She has led the cast as Tina Turner from the beginning. Could her pending departure have led producers to conclude that the show couldn’t go on without her unique star power as Turner? This is plausible, given how much critical praise was showered on Warren for transforming into the music legend. Yet producers claimed they were fully prepared with a strong replacement and that Warren’s exit alone did not trigger cancellation.
Licensing Issues
Music licensing problems are often a factor in Broadway show closures. If the license to use Tina Turner’s songs expired, that could force a close. However, a spokesperson for the musical stated that they held the stage rights to Turner’s full catalog of music and that licensing was not an issue. The rights were secured for the entire run.
Conflicts with Tina Turner
With Tina Turner herself involved from the start, could some conflict or disagreement with her have led to the shutdown? This theory gained some traction online, but has not been substantiated with any public statement indicating Turner pulled her support. The show was supposedly in consistent contact with her team throughout the successful run. Unless Turner herself speaks out about artistic differences, this currently remains speculative.
COVID-19 Resurgence Fears
Some observers wondered if producers preemptively shuttered the musical due to fears about the ongoing pandemic and a possible winter COVID surge. Many shows temporarily closed during earlier virus waves. However, at the moment Broadway remains open with no announced pandemic restrictions. Producers even claimed that “Tina has been and remains a healthy production” with “no COVID-related illness within the company.” This theory does not align with the current situation in New York.
Statement from Producers
With speculation running rampant, lead producers Tali Pelman Group finally issued an official statement on October 16th announcing that Tina would close permanently and offering an explanation.
In the statement, they shared:
“Despite our strong desire to keep running, we unfortunately have found it impossible to continue due to the financial burdens of Broadway.”
While the producers thanked fans for the support over 3+ years and insisted that fans were still buying tickets, they cited the financial model of Broadway itself as unsustainable. They suggested that the combination of high theater operation costs, excessive ticket fees via re-sellers, and the lack of federal pandemic assistance has made even smash hits like Tina struggle to stay afloat post-COVID.
Table of Broadway Operating Costs
Broadway Operating Cost | Estimated Amount |
---|---|
Theater Lease/Mortgage Payments | $500,000+ per month |
Staff/Cast Salaries | $350,000+ per week |
Set Design and Costumes | $2+ million |
Marketing | $500,000+ per year |
Other Overhead (insurance, utilities, etc) | $8,000+ per week |
Crunching the numbers, it is evident how operating expenses eat away at profits quite quickly. While ticket sales remained solid, the producers argue the margins were still too tight in the current climate to manage the high running costs.
Lack of Federal Assistance
The statement also highlighted how Broadway was left out of federal pandemic assistance programs like Restaurant Revitalization Funds and Save Our Stages, despite multiple lobbying efforts for inclusion. While restaurants and music venues received aid, theater producers were left to sustain losses during COVID closures without any protective government grants or loans. This put extra financial strain on shows reopening post-pandemic.
Reactions from Fans and Theater Community
Fans and theater professionals reacted to the news with shock, sadness, and anger. On social media, devoted Tina fans were heartbroken that the show was closing so suddenly, just a day after they were gleefully purchasing tickets and planning future trips to see it. One fan who had already booked airfare and hotels just to see Tina on Broadway again voiced frustration at the wasted expense.
However, many were sympathetic to the producers’ cited issues making Broadway profitable and sustainable today. Some fans recognized that soaring operating costs and predatory ticket reseller practices were hampering the industry’s recovery after COVID, forcing even thriving shows to shut down.
Among the theater community, there was great concern about how the Tina closure reflected larger financial struggles of Broadway. Despite robust ticket sales for the most popular shows, the overall landscape indicates audiences are not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. Add in higher costs across the board, and profit margins are being squeezed tighter than ever.
While producers look for solutions, actors and theater unions worry about the jobs and livelihoods lost when successful shows cannot stay open. There is anxiety that Tina closing may be the first of multiple dominos to fall unless the business model changes drastically. Many hope this serves as a “wake up call” for policymakers and consumers to better support the survival of Broadway.
What Happens Next?
For now, the producers say they are focused on a “respectful and dignified shut down process” over the next few weeks. Ticketholders will receive full refunds, and those with tickets for dates past October 16th are being notified of the cancellation.
Going forward, there is hope that Tina may someday be revived if Broadway’s profitability can be restored. Some speculate the show could re-emerge on a less expensive Off-Broadway theater, or that a scaled-down touring production will be launched nationally. However, for now, the curtain is closed on this record-breaking musical phenomenon.
Its premature end underscores the fragility of even the biggest Broadway blockbusters in the modern climate. The entire theater industry will be assessing if significant changes are required to prevent more premature closures beyond Tina. This likely won’t be the last cancellation announcement sending shockwaves, unless sustainable solutions can be enacted. Broadway remains resilient, but Tina’s abrupt farewell is the latest red flag.
Conclusion
The sudden cancellation of the smash hit musical Tina after a 3+ year run initially seemed unthinkable to fans. Upon producers citing the challenging economics of Broadway and lack of pandemic support, the news gained more context. While disappointing for Tina’s legions of followers, the shutdown illuminates how the Broadway business model has become increasingly tenuous. The massive overhead combined with rebounding post-COVID audiences has created a near-impossible environment even for runaway successes to thrive long-term. Tina’s closure serves as a warning light that Broadway must adapt and receive more assistance, or risk losing more of its most beloved shows. The beat of live theater goes on, but with an unmistakable sense of uncertainty.