The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window

Show Was A Shoe-In Replacement For The 2023 Failed Room

The revival of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window takes the place of Room, which had been scheduled to open at the James Earl Jones Theatre this season, but failed to secure financing. Room was added to the rare list of cancelled Broadway shows. A cancelled show is a Broadway show that makes it all the way through rehearsals, setup and ticketing, but does not actually open.

The Shubert's Always Have Lists Of Broadway Shows That Serve As Backup

The Shubert Organization has a secret list of back-pocket shows that are always ready to go and are able to fit into a time window on the rare occasion when another show is cancelled or is closed without notice.

The potential Broadway shows on this backup list must require minimal scenery and must already be established off-Broadway and be ready to go on a moments notice. This is the case with Room, which abruptly cancelled its opening after financial problems. All the shows on this list must already be fully funded.

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Original Broadway Debut in 1964

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window first debuted on Broadway in September of 1964 at the Longacre Theatre, four years after the original run of Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” closed.

1974 Broadway Production Of Sign Was A Debacle

The play returned to the Longacre for a brief revival in 1972. It played nine previews and the closed after just three full performances, following poor reviews from critics and terrible box office receipts.