Don't let this happen!

Okay, we need a holiday miracle here folks. This is a fabulous show that every kid, not to mention every adult should see. It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity to see real magic on stage, without rabbits and top hats!

So I was very dismayed when I read in this Playbill article that JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY might close November 26, due to weak ticket sales:

The wooden puppet Bob, of "Soap" fame, is facing a return to the trunk if ticket sales for Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! don't perk up.

Playbill.com has learned that producers of the Broadway play at the Helen Hayes Theatre have posted a provisional closing notice for Nov. 26, but if sales improve for the week after that (to Dec. 3), the show will continue.

Expect the show -- about the history and art of ventriloquism as refracted through Johnson's life and career -- to continue on a week-to-week basis if sales merit it.

The family-friendly critically-acclaimed play (one of the best reviewed works of the Broadway season) has had a hard time luring theatregoers, although they jammed the box office Nov. 21 for a special ticket giveaway at $2 per ticket (for shows to Dec. 3).

More than 222 tickets (the allotment for the special offer) were sold in about 10 minutes Nov. 21. The sale (to celebrate Bob's 29th birthday) was announced to offer 222 tickets spread out for performances to Dec. 24, but only tickets dated to Dec. 3 were sold.

Jay Johnson's side-kick Bob made his network television debut in November 1977 on the groundbreaking comedy series "Soap." Still together after almost three decades, Bob is now starring on Broadway with Jay in Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!, along with a variety of other characters.

Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! opened on Broadway to critical raves on Sept. 28. It was seen in an earlier Off-Broadway engagement and has played regional dates, as well.

The Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday through Thursday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 & 8 PM and Sunday at 1 & 5 PM.

Do yourself a favor and go out and buy a ticket!

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