"Orphans" will end its Broadway run more than month before it was scheduled to close, producers said Monday.
The troubled revival of Lyle Kessler’s crime drama will play its final performance on May 19 after 27 previews and 37 regular performances. The limited engagement was originally slated to close on June 30.
The play has been a staple of the New York City tabloids, but the relentless media attention focused primarily on the off-stage conflicts between original star Shia LaBeouf and leading man Alec Baldwin. That rancor led to the abrupt departure of LaBeouf due to "creative differences" during the second week of rehearsals.
Also read: Shia LaBeouf and Alec Baldwin 'Incompatible'? Actor Tweets About Exit From 'Orphans'
He was replaced by Ben Foster, the intense star of "The Messenger." "Orphans" centers on two orphan brothers who kidnap a rich man and gradually find themselves bonding with their captive.
Critics were divided over the play, although it did manage to score two Tony nominations last week for Best Revival of a Play and for Best Actor in a Play for Tom Sturridge.
The box-office response has been lackluster. Unlike star-driven vehicles such as Tom Hanks' "Lucky Guy" or Bette Midler's "I'll Eat You Last," "Orphans" has failed to attract big crowds. It earned a mediocre $522,036 during the week ending April 28, which represented less than 50 percent of its potential gross, according to stats compiled by BroadwayWorld.com.