Barry Manilow Falls Ill, Plans Return In Time for Opening Night of Broadway Show

Unfortunately, Barry Manilow can't sing the songs that make the whole world sing at the moment.

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Barry Manilow to Croon on Broadway

The legendary crooner, fighting a bout of bronchitis, was forced to cancel Tuesday and Wednesday preview performances of his Broadway concert show at the St. James Theatre, Manilow on Broadway,  just before its scheduled opening night this Thursday.

STORY: Barry Manilow to Croon on Broadway

"Barry thanks everyone for their understanding and is looking forward to returning to the stage of the St. James for tomorrow’s opening night performance… Come hell or high water!" his reps said in a statement.

Makeup performances for the two postponed shows have been rescheduled for Feb. 26 (for Tues.) and Feb. 27 (for Wed.). Given that critics had been invited to the canceled performances, the hitch will force reviewers to attend on opening night or later, likely delaying coverage.

After the postponement of Tuesday's show was announced, a post on Manilow's official website humorously stated, "With deep apologies, and due to a sudden case of bronchitis, tonight's show will be postponed until February 26th. Mr. Manilow can be found on the Brooklyn Bridge, getting ready to jump." 

Manilow did make a public appearance on Tuesday in frigid New York City temperatures to witness the unveiling of the ceremonial street sign for Barry Manilow Way on W. 44th St. and 7th Ave., where the St. James Theatre is located. 

Manilow on Broadway is scheduled to open on Thursday and will officially end its limited run on Feb. 23, with the two rescheduled shows tacked on a few days after. 

Email: Joshua.Stecker@thr.com; Twitter: @joshuastecker