FINIAN'S RAINBOW Transfer a No-Go, Show to Close January 17 as Planned

Cast members have confirmed to BroadwayWorld.com that they were informed last night and Michael Riedel in the New York Post is reporting as well that although options to transfer Finian's Rainbow to a smaller theatre (the Neil Simon presumably) in a scaled down production had been discussed, ultimately it was deemed economically unfeasible and the show will still close as originally announced on January 17th. 

The production will have played 22 previews and 92 performances.

Finian's Rainbow opened October 29, 2009, at Broadway's ST. James Theatre.

A statement from the producers about the closing read: "Despite the rave reviews and extraordinarily positive audience reception, the economic realities of Broadway today do not allow us to play at the ST. James as long as we would have hoped. We are thrilled, however, that our gorgeous musical score-performed by our incredible cast and brilliant orchestra-lives on in our soon to be released cast album."

Finian's Rainbow has a book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy; lyrics by Yip Harburg; music by Burton Lane; with book adaptation by Arthur Perlman and original adaptation for New York City Center Encores! by David Ives. It is directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle; musical direction is by Rob Berman.

The production stars Jim Norton (Finian), Kate Baldwin (Sharon), Cheyenne Jackson (Woody), Christopher Fitzgerald (Og), and Chuck Cooper (Bill).

Finian's Rainbow's cast and orchestra recorded the show on Monday, December 7 for PS Classics. The label anticipates an early February street date.

With a sparkling score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire, and fairy tale, Finian's Rainbow is a musical theater treasure. Set in the mythical southern state of Missitucky, Finian's Rainbow pits a charming Irish dreamer and his headstrong daughter against the host of complications that await them in their newly adopted land: a bigoted southern Senator, a credit crisis, a pesky leprechaun, and, of course, a complicated love affair that gives birth to some of the most witty, charming and heartfelt songs ever written for the stage.

The musical boasts such classic songs as "Old Devil Moon," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?," "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love (I Love the Girl I'm Near)," Look to the Rainbow," and "If This Isn't Love."

Finian's Rainbow plays the ST. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm; Friday and Saturday at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.telecharge.com or by phoning 212.239.6200. For groups, phone 212.541.8457 or 1.800.BROADWAY. For more information about Finian's Rainbow, visit www.FiniansOnBroadway.com.