“The Music Man,” starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, has pushed its opening to spring 2021.
The musical, produced by Scott Rudin, Barry Diller and David Geffen, was originally set to begin previews in September and open on Oct. 15. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the expected closure of Broadway through early January, “The Music Man” will now begin previews at the Winter Garden Theatre on April 7, 2021, with an opening night scheduled for May 20.
The company, which includes Foster, Jackman, Jayne Houdyshell and Jefferson Mays, is expected to stay together, according to a statement from Rudin.
“We’re obviously profoundly disappointed to be unable to start rehearsals for ‘The Music Man’ as scheduled. But safety is safety, and it has to take precedence over every other consideration – for both our audience and for our company,” Rudin said in press release. “Despite the postponement, we are sticking together as a company, and we are grateful to be able to do so.”
The production is directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Warren Carlyle. Rehearsals are expected to begin on Feb. 8.
The announcement follows the postponement of “Flying Over Sunset,” which announced Wednesday that it will also be rescheduled for spring.
