Chaplin Sets Closing Date on Broadway for January 6

Just about a week after announcing a U.S. national tour for 2014, producers of the Broadway production of “Chaplin: The Musical” have announced that the show will close early next year.

The final production of the musical honoring the life of silent film star Charlie Chaplin will be held January 6, 2013. At that point, the show will have performed 24 previews and 136 regular performances.

“We are so disappointed to close this show,” said Mindy Rich in a statement on behalf of the show’s producers. “We’ve been moved by the countless theatergoers who have loved ‘Chaplin’ as much as we do. We are so proud of our extraordinary cast and creative team, and ‘Chaplin’ will live on through productions on our national tour in 2014 and around the world.”

Official cities and dates, as well as casting, for the upcoming tour will be revealed at a later date.

“From the slums of London to the heights of Hollywood, ‘Chaplin’ is the showbiz Broadway musical about the silent film legend the world couldn’t stop talking about – Charlie Chaplin,” said production notes on the show. “The brand new 24-person musical reveals the man behind the legend, the undeniable genius that forever changed the way America went to the movies.”

In additional “Chaplin” news, the original Broadway cast album will be released digitally tomorrow (December 4). The album will be released in CD form on January 8, 2013.

The Broadway production stars Rob McClure in the title role of the musical and also features Christiane Noll, Jenn Colella and Erin Mackay. The music and lyrics for “Chaplin” are written by Christopher Curtis. The book is co-written by Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and Curtis. Warren Carlyle directed and choreographed the show. He is known for his other Broadway work on “Follies” and “Hugh Jackman – Back on Broadway.”