BWW Flashback: The Queen Ends Her Reign on Broadway as THE AUDIENCE Closes Today

Peter Morgan's The Audience, starring Helen Mirren and directed by Stephen Daldry, began previews on February 14 and opened on March 8 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). The production closes today, June 28, and below, BroadwayWorld takes you back to the play's beginning on the Great White Way!

The complete cast features Helen Mirren (Queen Elizabeth II), Dylan Baker (John Major), Geoffrey Beevers (The Queen's Equerry), Michael Elwyn (Anthony Eden), Judith Ivey (Margaret Thatcher), Dakin Matthews (Winston Churchill), Richard McCabe (Harold Wilson), Rod McLachlan (Gordon Brown), Rufus Wright (David Cameron / Tony Blair), Anthony Cochrane (Cecil Beaton / Bishop / Detective), Graydon Long (Footman), Jason Loughlin (Footman), Michael Rudko (Private Secretary / Archbishop), Henny Russell (Queen's Secretary / Mistress of the Robes), Tracy Sallows (Bobo McDonald), Sadie Sink (Young Elizabeth), Elizabeth Teeter (Young Elizabeth), and Tony Ward (Bishop / Camera Loader / Policeman / Detective).

The production is designed by six-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley with lighting by two-time Tony Award winner Rick Fisher, sound by Tony Award winner Paul Arditti, and original music by Paul Englishby.

For sixty years Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said, not even to their spouses.

THE AUDIENCE started previews in February, and we got a first look at Mirren and the company onstage. Scroll down for photos (by Joan Marcus) and footage!

THE AUDIENCE officially opened in March (read the Review Roundup), and BroadwayWorld was there to talk to the stars on the red carpet, capture the opening bows, speak to Mirren and company at the after party and more!

The news came in April that THE AUDIENCE had recouped its $3,400,000 production costs in just eight weeks, and before long, the 2015 Tony Awards confirmed the show's prowess. Helen Mirren won this year's Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play in June. Scroll down to watch her full acceptance speech and her reaction to the honor!

Mirren's co-star Richard McCabe also won thee 2015 Tony Award for Featured Actor in a Play for his role as 'Prime Minister Harold Wilson'. See what he had to say below!

Thank you for gracing us with your royal talent, Helen Mirren! Here's to THE AUDIENCE's lauded run on Broadway!