LuPone Surgery Forces ‘War Paint’ to Announce Early Closing

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The Broadway musical “War Paint” has changed its closing date to Nov. 5 so that Patti LuPone can undergo immediate hip replacement surgery. The show was scheduled to run until Dec. 30.

“For several months I have been performing in a great deal of pain,’’ Ms. LuPone explained in a statement on Friday. “My producers David Stone and Marc Platt have provided an incredible team who, through physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture, have enabled me to continue on stage. But the pain has now become too intense and I have no other choice but to leave.”

The musical, which opened April 6 at the Nederlander Theater, chronicles the 50-year rivalry between the cosmetics moguls Helena Rubinstein, played by Ms. LuPone, and Elizabeth Arden, played by Christine Ebersole. Both performers, winners of two Tony Awards apiece, were nominated again for the show, but came home empty-handed.

And in a highly competitive season for new musicals, “War Paint” never broke out to be a hit; during the week ending Oct. 8, it grossed $605,011, 48 percent of its potential earnings.

In a statement Mr. Stone and Mr. Platt expressed understanding for Ms. LuPone’s decision. “We all know Patti is strong, and she has proven to have even more strength than we imagined,’’ they said. “At this point, however, she needs to have hip replacement surgery sooner rather than later.”

Ms. LuPone does have another stage date on her schedule, however: She is slated to play Joanne next year in the director Marianne Elliott’s production of “Company” in London.

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