L.A.'s Shubert Theatre, set for demolition in 2002, will close earlier than expected, according to the Los Angeles Times. A June production of Follies by the Reprise! series was the original final planned production, but the Shubert Organization will pull out of the theatre at the close of 2001 with a Dec. 18-30 run of The Who's Tommy. The Shubert Theatre opened with a production of Follies, which played there July 22-Oct. 1,1972. The 1,800 seat house hosted such touring productions as Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables, Ragtime and the recent sell-out hit, Mamma Mia! in its 30 year history.
The theatre is situated in a complex with two five-story office buildings, a limestone plaza and several fountains. All will be torn down to construct a new $280 million building.
— By Christine Ehren
