The "Duck Dynasty" family may have conquered reality TV, but a musical about the Robertsons could not muster up the same excitement on stage.
The "Duck Commander Musical," based on the family of the popular A&E series, will close early at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, according to Playbill. The last performance is scheduled for May 17, less than two months after its premiere. Tickets were on sale through June 30.
The 90-minute musical opened on April 15 and is based on the 2012 book, "The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family and Ducks Built a Dynasty," written by Willie and Korie Robertson. Broadway veteran Jeff Calhoun directed and choreographed the show, and Asa Somers wrote the musical's book. Steven Morris, Robert Morris and Joe Shane wrote the score that combined country, rock, gospel and pop.
"The production is thrilled to have had the opportunity to develop the 'Duck Commander Musical' at the Rio," representatives for the production said in a statement. "Much has been learned from this limited engagement, and from the great support from everyone who has come to see this first staging of this completely new musical."
The Robertson family had approval rights over the script and casting, the New York Times reported last November. The show was billed as a "captivating 90-minute show - seasoned with all the southern spirit and down-to-earth humor you expect from America's most famous rednecks." The production also promised to please loyal fans of the "rags-to-riches story" as well as those unfamiliar with the Robertsons' "surprising tale of faith, food and family" that would charm and move audiences.
The "Duck Commander Musical" could find new life in a limited-engagement run in other cities or launch as a national tour. The show currently stars Broadway actors Mimi Bessette as Miss Kay, Ben Thompson as Willie Robertson, Tad Wilson as Phil Robertson and Russell Arden Koplin as Missy.
Songs from the musical included "Faith, Food and Family," the opening song; "Camouflage," which Korie sings to Willie about staying true to himself; "Cookin' for the Family," sung by Miss Kay; and "Like the River Flows," a ballad sung between Willie and Korie when they realize they were destined to be together.
