A musical based on the songs of Bob Dylan is closing less than a month after it opened to mostly negative reviews.

The Times They Are A-Changin', which followed the story of a young man who worked in a circus, said it will perform its last show on Nov. 19, less than a month after it debuted on Oct. 26.

Bob Dylan approached Twyla Tharp three years ago about turning his songs into a musical.Bob Dylan approached Twyla Tharp three years ago about turning his songs into a musical.
(Associated Press)

Dylan approached choreographer Twyla Tharp to create the musical after her breakout success turning Billy Joel's music into the Tony-award winning Movin' Out.

Movin' Out ran for 1,300 performances on Broadway. The Times They Are A-Changin', by contrast, will have played only 35 previews and 28 performances.

It was plagued by bad reviews and cast changes.

"The Times They Are A-Changin' is so bad that it makes you forget how good the songs are," wrote The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout, while Ben Brantley of the New York Times called the musical a "systematic steamrolling of Bob Dylan."

Reviewers were critical of a plot which bore little connection to the music and complained that none of the three principal actors and singers took part in the complex choreography of the show.

New York columnist Michael Musto called the decision a "mercy killing," saying the story was "nearly incomprehensible."

The role of the young man's love interest also changed three times from the musical's first preview at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

As well as the title song, the musical featured classics from the folk and rock veteran's catalogue such as Subterranean Homesick Blues, Mr. Tambourine Man and Blowin' in the Wind.

Movin' Out, Swedish band ABBA's musical Mama Mia and Queen's We Will Rock You have all enjoyed successful runs as musicals based on the hits of a popular performer or group, sometimes referred to as "jukebox-musicals."

Others, however, have not been as lucky. Lennon and Good Vibrations, based on the songs of the Beatles and Beach Boys respectively, both closed early after poor reviews.

With files from the Associated Press