The Duck Dynasty dynasty is getting a blow that is sure to resound through the hills. The franchise recently saw the opening of the “Duck Commander Musical” at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. It seemed like another feather in the camouflaged hat of the popular reality television series. Despite the anti-gay comments of the family founder Phil Robertson, here they were with their own musical.
The production was expected to run through June of this year, but now news is out that the musical is set to close May 17. That means it will have only played for about a month.
The “Duck Commander Musical,” put on by several well-known Broadway backers, including the group behind “Jersey Boys,” was directed by Jeff Calhoun.
The music production has been described as alternating “between something akin to a live-action commercial celebrating the family business to a mostly cheery singing and dancing scrapbook of their tight-knit journey.”
While some of the Duck Dynasty musical production sounds like Hee Haw-style fare, including fart jokes from Uncle Si, there are songs. Most are sincere message material with lines such as “there’s no time for rest, this is my quest,” and “be yourself in camouflage.”
But there is a big, gay number complete with sequins and high-kicking dancers. Talk about your juxtapositions. Maybe there is a joke here at the expense of Phil Robertson, et al: a musical production, with “French Mistake”-esque numbers, held in a casino — yet all about a man who is outspoken in his disdain for gay people.
“Duck Commander Musical” featured original songs and was adapted from the 2012 book “The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty” by Willie and Korie Robertson.