Worth Paying DC A Visit In 2008
Worth Paying DC A Visit In 2008Longtime readers will recall that I've been charting the progress of The Visit, a musical that features a score by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, along with a book by Terrence McNally.
Based on Friedrich Duerrenmatt's Tony-nominated 1958 play that also earned Tony nods for Broadway royalty Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, the tuner first premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theatre less than a month after the horrific events of 9/11.
Despite its magnificent star wattage in both Chita Rivera and John McMartin, the show never went anywhere after it closed on November 1, 2001. Sure, it was scheduled at New York's Public Theater for early 2004, and there were rumors that Roundabout Theatre Company might bring the musical to Studio 54 at about the same time, but The Visit never called again.
Until now.
Or should I say, it won't until May of 2008?
As I reported a year ago last summer, the The Visit will begin anew directly across the Potomac River from the city that gave birth to the incomparable Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero nearly 75 years ago. As part of its Kander & Ebb Celebration, the Washington DC-area's respected Signature Theatre (Shirlington, Virginia) will produce the tuner with Chita Rivera recreating her role as Claire Zachanassian, the world's wealthiest woman with a score to settle. George Hearn will assume the role of her lover Anton Schell.
The Visit will be directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Ann Reinking. The production is slated to run May 13 - June 22, 2008.
You can bet I'll be paying our nation's capital a visit come spring.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Amazing Candor From Amazing Kander (March 28, 2007)
Chita Rivera to Make Return "Visit" in DC (August 25, 2006)
Labels: Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera, Frank Galati, Fred Ebb, George Hearn, John Kander, Musical, Terrence McNally, The Visit, Washington DC
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, December 21, 2007
6 Comments:
By all accounts Galati was the wrong choice to direct this show in its Chicago try-out. I cannot believe Galati is still allowed to direct musicals. He simply does not understand how to create a musical.
I'm hoping for the best. It is the Holiday season after all.
I'm doing a little dance for this one! I can't wait to see Chita and George together and I will definitely be thumbing a ride down to DC!
I can't wait to see Chita in my hometown - and maybe see SOB too. Happy New Year twin.
Sarah, Maybe we'll all need to see it together.
Buddy In DC,
Happy New Year, Twin! Looking forward to seeing you in DC in 2008. It's been far too long!
Steve
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