When it closes, the production, which officially opened Nov. 18, 2012, following previews that began Nov. 11, will have played eight previews and 161 regular performances.
Producers have plans to bring the show to London and Los Angeles and are also at work on a national tour.
"We had an amazing run here in NYC. I have worked on bringing Dusty to the New York stage for years and I am so grateful that my dream came true. I talked to hundreds of audience members and their passion and love for the show and for Dusty Springfield truly inspired me every night. I can't wait to do Forever Dusty again in the next city,” co-writer and star Smith said in a statement.
Co-writer Vankin added, "We want to thank all of our fans who made it possible to have such an exciting experience in our five months at New World Stages. They are the reason we do this show! But none of it would have been possible without our beautiful, hugely talented cast and crew. Most of all, we give our thanks to the legendary Dusty Springfield. If more people know and love her now than before we started the show, then we have achieved what we set out to do."
Directed by Randal Myler (Love, Janis; It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues), Forever Dusty is produced by Jorja Fox, Leslie Brockett, Jane Gullong and Sandalphon Productions, with executive producer Eva Price of Maximum Entertainment Productions. Co-writer Smith also stars in the production. She is joined by Christina Sajous, Coleen Sexton, Benim Foster, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Ashley Betton and Jonathan C. Kaplan.
The creative team also includes set designer Wilson Chin, lighting designer Richard DiBella, sound designer Matt Kraus, musical director Michael Thomas Murray and costume designer Nancy Palmatier.
Forever Dusty, according to the producers, tells the "compelling and moving story of Dusty's journey, in a dramatic, high-energy musical filled with some of the most exciting pop songs ever written," including "Son of a Preacher Man," "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," "The Look of Love" and many others.
Born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, Dusty Springfield became what the producers call the first great female pop star of the 1960s.
New World Stages is located at 340 West 50th Street. For more information visit foreverdusty.com.
