Slew of Shows Closing on Broadway in 2022: Come From Away, Dear Even Hansen, Tina

Broadway musicals are struggling. In May, Mrs. Doubtfire (the adaptation of the 1993 film starring Robin Williams) announced that it would be closing at the end of the month, just after announcing a Tony nomination for its star, Rob McLure. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (a revival of the 1976 play) closed earlier this month. Its seven Tony Award nominations were only able to extend its run by two weeks.

Now, three more shows will joining them. In recent weeks, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, and Tina have all announced they will be closing as well.

Dear Evan Hansen came to Broadway in previews on November 14, 2016, officially opening on December 4. The show tells the story of high school senior Evan Hansen who has severe anxiety and struggles to make friends. Due to a misunderstanding, Evan is mistaken as a close friend of another student, Connor, who commits suicide. Fumbling and unable to clarify the situation, Evan finds himself swept up in Connor’s family, and unexpected attention in school. Winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, the show was praised for encouraging discussions about mental health and youth suicide. The show will end its Broadway run on September 18, 2022.

Tina, a jukebox musical based on the life of the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Tina Turner. Tina started in previews on October 12, 2019 and officially opened on November 7. The production was nominated for twelve Tony Awards in 2020, winning Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. It will be closing on August 14, 2022.

Come From Away became the latest Broadway casualty. Come From Away tells the true story of the 7,000 passengers whose planes were diverted to Newfoundland, Canada on September 11, 2001. The Newfoundlanders stepped up to take care of these stranded passengers, providing places to stay, food, and comfort. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning Best Direction of a Musical. Come From Away opened in previews on February 18, 2017, officially opening on March 12, 2017. It will be closing on October 2, 2022.

All three shows have been struggling with uneven and low attendance since returning after closing due to the pandemic in 2020.

Photo: The Cast of Come From Away. Courtesy of Schoenfeld Theatre.