110 in the Shade plays final performance on Broadway

The Roundabout Theatre Company's five-time Tony-nominated revival of 110 in the Shade starring Audra McDonald, plays its final performance on 29 Jul 2007.

The musical opened at Studio 54 on 9 May 2007, following previews from 13 Apr, and was originally playing a strictly limited engagement which was running to 15 Jul 2007, but then extended through to 29 Jul 2007. When the show closes it will have played 94 regular performances and 27 previews.

The show opened to mixed reviews, with most critics concluding that the production is a modest musical made special by Audra McDonald's shining peformance. "She�s (McDonald) an overwhelming presence in an underwhelming show." New York Times; "To prove that a single actor can turn a modest show into a compelling one, I offer as Exhibit A the performance by Audra McDonald." (The Record); "McDonald more than makes up for the paucity of production values. She's a performer who can fill any stage." (Associated press); "It's good to see them both (McDonald & 110 in th Shade) back and they light the Great White Way." (New York Theare Guide).

Directed by Lonny Price , 110 in the Shade also features John Cullum, Steve Kazee, Chris Butler (Noah), Carla Duren (Snookie), Christopher Innvar (File), Bobby Steggert (Jimmy) and Elisa Van Duyne, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Valisia Lekae Little, Darius Nichols, Mamie Parris, Devin Richards, Michael Scott, Will Swenson, Matt Wall and Betsy Wolfe.

110 in the Shade:In the middle of a heat wave in 1930's Texas, when everyone is longing for rain, or a breeze, Lizzie Curry (McDonald) is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit, intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she can't find true love. Even the town sheriff, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance. However, when a charismatic rainmaker named Starbuck (Kazee) enters the town and her family's life, Lizzie's world is turned upside down.

The musical features a book by N. Richard Nash, music by Tony Award honoree Harvey Schmidt, lyrics by Tony Award honoree Tom Jones and direction by Lonny Price.

110 in the Shade features choreography by Dan Knechtges, musical direction by Paul Gemignani, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. The design team includes Santo Loquasto (Sets & Costumes), Christopher Akerlind (Lights) and Dan Moses Schreier (Sound).

The musical, based on N. Richard Nash�s The Rainmaker, premiered on Broadway on 24 Oct 1963 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The original Broadway production of The Rainmaker premiered on 28 Oct 1954 and was subsequently produced by Roundabout Theatre Company in 1999 starring Woody Harrelson and Jayne Atkinson.

110 in the Shadereceived 2007 Tony Award nominations for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Audra McDonald), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (John Cullum), Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Christopher Akerlind).