"American Psycho" has been canceled from Off Broadway's Second Stage Theater slate after Act 4 Entertainment, its commercial rights backer, has pulled the production out of the theater's season, according to Variety.
"We are disappointed that we will not be producing "American Psycho" this season, but the rights holders, Act 4 Entertainment, have decided to not move forward with the production at Second Stage," artistic director Carole Rothman, said.
Act 4 Entertainment executives could not be immediately reached for explanations on the sudden decision or what might be the the next plan after "American Psycho" has been canceled.
Two unidentified Broadway executives said on Friday, that California-based Act 4 had been talking to New York producers lately and looking into taking the show right to Broadway and circumventing Second Stage, The New York Times reported. The Second Stage production would have cost too much for development, the source said. Anonymity was pledged because the information was based on private conversations.
Before it was announced that "American Psycho" has been canceled, Act 4 reportedly had been working to close a deal with actor Benjamin Walker to portray the lead role of Patrick Bateman, famously played by Christian Bale in the 2000 movie version of the Bret Easton Ellis novel.
Last winter, "American Psycho" which was artistically directed by Rupert Goold, had its premiere at London's Almeida Theater. The production with songs from Duncan Sheik ("Spring Awakening") and book by Roberto Aguirre-Sarcasa ("Glee," "Spider-Man:Turn Off the Dark") earned mixed reviews, and has since undergone several script and score changes.
Just on its intriguing title, "American Psycho" reportedly had been one of the highly anticipated productions lined up for the coming Off Broadway season.
With "American Psycho" canceled, Second Stage is left with a hole in its season which it will scurry to fill before it runs out of time.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
