ROOM on Broadway Is Postponed Indefinitely
The entertainment industry can be brutal sometimes. The Broadway production of Room, announced to begin performances April 3 at the James Earl Jones Theare, starring Tony winner Adrienne Warren, has been postponed indefinitely. The production, which was in rehearsal, shut down as of March 16.
The news arrives after a lead producer withdrew from the project, creating a shortfall in capitalization.
“In the midst of our rehearsals we were informed by one of our lead producers that due to personal reasons, they did not intend to fulfill their obligations to the production,” said producer Hunter Arnold. “Since being notified, the rest of the producing team has exhausted all possible avenues to keep the show on track, but the narrow timeline and economic shortfall created by this series of events has proven to be insurmountable. We are incredibly disappointed not to be able to open this remarkable production at this time and are especially heartbroken for our incredibly talented cast and creative team who were hard at work in the rehearsal room.”
In a follow-up statement, producers Sam Julyan and James Yeoburn said, “We have been honored to share the story of Room since its world premiere in 2017 in London and its subsequent productions in Dublin, Scotland, and Ontario. We truly believe that today’s disappointing news will not be the end of Room on stage.”
All purchased tickets will be refunded and ticket buyers should return to point of purchase to process those refunds.
In addition to Warren as Ma, the U.S. premiere of Room was slated to feature Ephraim Sykes as SuperJack, a new character for the stage version that exists as an older version of Ma’s son who is born in captivity. Little Jack was to be played by Aiden Mekhi Sierra and Christopher Woodley alternating in the role. Rounding out the cast were Kate Burton, Tina Benko, Michael Genet, and Triney Sandoval.
Room is written and adapted for the stage by Emma Donoghue, based on her 2010 best-selling novel, which she also adapted into the award-winning 2015 film. The play features songs and music by Scottish songwriters Kathryn Joseph and Cora Bissett; the latter was set to direct.
The story follows Ma and Jack as they hatch a plan to escape from their kidnapper. Ma is desperate to get back out into the world after seven years stuck in captivity, but Jack is terrified of leaving the only world he knows.
