'Rocky' the musical to close on Broadway Aug. 17

NEW YORK, July 17 (UPI) -- The boxing-themed, romantic musical Rocky is to play its last performance at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre Aug. 17, the show's producers announced.

Based on Sylvester Stallone's 1976 Best Picture Oscar winner of the same name, the musical will have played 28 previews and 188 regular performances in New York when the final bell rings next month.

The cast includes Andy Karl as Rocky, Margo Seibert as Adrian, Terence Archie as Apollo Creed, Dakin Matthews as Mickey and Danny Mastrogiorgio as Paulie.

Stage Entertainment said it is exploring future productions of the show across the United States, as well as internationally. The musical had its world premiere in 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where it continues to play to packed houses, the producers said. Rocky opened to critical raves on Broadway March 13, 2014.

"Rocky brings to life the iconic and inspiring story of struggling small-time Philly boxer, Rocky Balboa, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to go the distance against heavyweight champ Apollo Creed," a synopsis said.