Almost Famous to Close on Broadway

Hold us closer, tiny dancer, because Almost Famous is closing on Broadway. The musical's producers, Lia Vollack and Michael Cassel, announced that the show will close January 8, 2023. The musical opened November 3. When it closes, Almost Famous will have played 30 preview performances and 77 performances.

Said the producers in a joint statement, "Almost Famous, like the music it celebrates, will endure. We look forward to the release of the cast recording on March 17, and to the many productions in communities across the country and world, for years to come."

Though the musical was based on an Oscar-winning film by Cameron Crowe (who wrote the book and contributed lyrics), it did not receive as warm of a reception on Broadway. In the week of December 11, it only brought in $765,060 in grosses, which though respectable, was not enough to cover the running costs of the show. Read what critics had to say about the show here.

Despite the closure, the show will live on in cast album form; the album will be released March 17. The producers also told The New York Times that they hope to tour the show.

Watch the cast and creatives talk about the inspirations behind Almost Famous:

Set in 1973, Almost Famous follows a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist who Rolling Stone hires to go on tour with an up-and-coming rock band. Crowe won an Oscar for his semi-autobiographical screenplay chronicling his own time as a young journalist with The Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin.

The cast also features Solea Pfeiffer as groupie Penny Lane, Chris Wood as the band's guitarist Russell Hammond, Casey Likes as teen writer William Miller, Tony nominee Anika Larsen as William's mother Elaine, Drew Gehling as the band's lead singer Jeff Bebe, and Rob Colletti as journalist Lester Bangs.

The cast also includes Matt Bittner, Chad Burris, Gerard Canonico, Julia Cassandra, Brandon Contreras, Jakeim Hart, Van Hughes, Jana Djenne Jackson, Katie Ladner, Danny Lindgren, Erica Mansfield, Alisa Melendez, Kevin Perdido, Andrew Poston, Emily Schultheis, Daniel Sovich, Libby Winters, and Matthew C. Yee.

Almost Famous is directed by Tony nominee Jeremy Herrin and features a book and lyrics by Crowe and music and lyrics by Tony and Pulitzer winner Tom Kitt.

The creative team includes choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, music supervisor Bryan Perri, scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer David Zinn, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Peter Hylenski, hair and makeup designer Luc Verschueren, and physical movement coordinator Lorenzo Pisoni. Kitt has penned arrangements and orchestrations, and vocal design will be by AnnMarie Milazzo. The production is cast by Jim Carnahan.