West End Movin' Out to Shutter Early on May 22

Having failed to find the level of success that kept it a long-running hit on Broadway, the West End production of the Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp dance musical Movin' Out will close early on May 22nd, according to Whatsonstage.com.

The production was originally announced to have closed on July 17th; it began previews at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on March 28th and opened there on April 10th. The previously-announced European tour is still set to happen.

"Despite enthusiastic audiences and standing ovations most nights together with some great reviews, the producers have made the difficult decision to close the show early. Movin' Out has not attracted the level of audiences needed to sustain the production which requires two troupes of dancers," stated a spokesperson for the show.

Movin' Out features James Fox as The Piano Player, as well as Laura Costa-Chaud as Judy, Holly Cruickshank as Brenda, Matthew Dibble as James, David Gomez as Tony, and Ron Todorowski as Eddie. With the exception of Dibble, all have danced in the show during its Broadway run.

Movin' Out, set to the classic hits of song-writer Billy Joel, tells the story of six friends whose lives are changed through war, love, and separation during the 60s and 70s in America. The show relies on dance and Joel's narrative songs with no dialogue. Movin' Out won 2003 Tony Awards for Best Choreography by Tharp, and Best Orchestrations by Joel and Stuart Malina. It was also nominated for Best Musical.

For more information, visit www.movinoutonbroadway.com for more information.