Kravitz canceled 10 shows, not just Tel Aviv, producer says

Changed film schedule to blame; musician is promising rescheduled Israel concert in 2013

By Jessica Steinberg

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28 August 2012, 5:28 am

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Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Lenny Kravitz in costume on the set of "The Butler" (Courtesy Lenny Kravitz Facebook page) — Lenny Kravitz in costume on the set of “The Butler” (Courtesy Lenny Kravitz Facebook page)

Dispelling rumors that singer Lenny Kravitz may have canceled his planned October 6 Tel Aviv show due to political reasons or poor ticket sales, producer Gad Oron told The Times of Israel that a total of 10 September and October shows — in Russia, the Ukraine, Finland, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Turkey — were canceled because of Kravitz’s extended filming schedule.

“In my 38 years in this business, I’ve never canceled because of poor ticket sales, and we sold more than 50% [of the tickets] seven weeks before show day,” said Oron in an email.

Lenny Kravitz on the far right with fellow actors Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and Cuba Gooding Jr. (Courtesy Lenny Kravitz Facebook page) — Lenny Kravitz (far right) with fellow actors Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Pernell Walker (Courtesy Lenny Kravitz Facebook page)

The singer/actor is currently filming “The Butler” in New Orleans, with Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Mariah Carey and Pernell Walker. The film tells the story of a butler (Whitaker) who serves eight presidents over the course of three decades working in the White House.

Production on the film was extended into the fall and Kravitz is required to stay in the US to finish his shooting commitments, Oron explained.

Kravitz said he will play Tel Aviv in 2013, and posted on his Facebook page that ending his “Black and White America” world tour in Israel would have been “extremely meaningful” to him, and that he was “personally disappointed.” He had also been planning on spending some time in Israel after the concert.