Romance/Romance Revival?

[AnnieBlack]

A friend of mine got an investment packet for a revival of Romance/Romance this spring on Broadway. Has anyone heard about this? 

The only thing I know about it was it premiered in 1988 when Phantom was taking all the air out of the room- I have no idea if its any good- any opinions?

[tomwsjr]

I saw this on Broadway and disliked it very much.  The leads were terrific, especially Scot Bakula, but the show felt amateurish and out of place on Broadway, even in the intimate Helen Hayes theatre. 

[SFFrontRow]

I saw this in first row for half price on the same trip with the original Into the Woods and Phantom. I found it light, airy, and charming.

I listen to the cast recording often. Scott Bakula was pre-TV fame and replaced the original lead from the Off-Broadway production who was someone of note (I want to say Alex Baldwin but I am sure that is wrong).

Would love to see this on a stage again. Low production costs (cast of four) would make the weekly nut pretty low and investor attractive.

[Mister Matt]

It's a small show with only a cast of four, but I find it irresistibly charming.  One of the scores I listened to most often over the years.  The melodies are infectious.

[BroadwayMan5]

SFFrontRow said: "I saw this in first row for half price on the same trip with the original Into the Woods and Phantom. I found it light, airy, and charming.

"

I'm so jealous you saw the original casts of ITW and Phantom!

 

I've always liked the Romance/Romance score... especially the song they did on the Tonys (It's Not Too Late). It seems like it could be something that could be revived by Roundabout if they got some big names attached to it

[PThespian]

I'm a huge fan of the show, and I saw it twice during it's Broadway run. 

There was also a production of it starring Susan Moniz and John Herrera that was broadcast on A&E. I used to watch it over and over again...about as much as I listened to the CD which was a lot!

[John Adams]

I think it's rare to find tender love songs written for a man to sing in a musical. I guess it's just not "manly" for a male to be romantically vulnerable in a musical. The thing I like about Romance/Romance is that there are two - "Words He Doesn't Say" and "Moonlight Passing Through a Window". Both are really lovely songs.

Like others wrote, I still listen to the CD often, too.

[Jarethan]

I saw this show and disliked it a lot.Part of it was due to my expectations around Alison Fraser's performance, which got raves and predicted stardom, which clearly did not happen.  I thought she was fine.  Period.  Scott Bacula was a lot better for my $$$, but she got the Tony nomination.

it was two one-acters, and I sem to recall that one took place in the Belle Époque period, the other current tense.  It was trivial.

Anyone who would try to bring this back either has Jake Gyllenhaal committed to the Bacula role -- not likely -- or also put his/her money into supporting extensions for Honeymoon in Vegas, Amazing Grace and Disaster.  S/he will probably also open it at the Nederlander.  I cannot conceive of a revival...the person probably also produced Dames at Sea.

i 

[After Eight]

It wasn't very good; and a revival's prospects for success seem slim.

 

 

 

[sbflyfan]

One of my favorite cast recordings. The only thing cut is some insignificant dialogue, and the finished product leaves you feeling as if you've had a complete experience of the show.  "The Night It Had To End" is a fantastic torch song and Alison Fraser's performance is flawless.  I've always really liked " Small Craft Warnings" for some reason, too.

Perhaps some slight re-working or updating of the second act would be needed, though, since it's supposed to be contemporary. Leaving it set in the 80's would make it feel dated and the juxtaposition with the period setting of the first act wouldn't quite work.

[PThespian]

After Eight said: "It wasn't very good; and a revival's prospects for success seem slim.

 

 AE you didn't like it? Seriously? Damn it must suck. You like everything!

 

 

"

 

[After Eight]

PT,

It wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen. It was just humdrum. I can't see why it would merit a revival.

But then, compared to the things that win Tonys nowadays, it's a masterpiece.

[Wayman_Wong]

For the record, Bakula DID get a Tony nomination for "Romance/Romance."

I thought he and Alison Fraser were both pretty terrific.

But whatever happened to the Tony-nominated writers: Barry Harman & Keith Herrmann?

Why haven't we heard of them since? Or seen a new musical (since 198?

 

[Esther]

I listen to the cast recording often. Scott Bakula was pre-TV fame and replaced the original lead from the Off-Broadway production who was someone of note (I want to say Alex Baldwin but I am sure that is wrong).

It was Dennis Parlato, who played Walter in Chess that same season.  Baldwin was replaced as a lead (by Tim Hutton) for a future tenant of  the Hayes 2 years later when Prelude to a Kiss moved uptown & he had a film to shoot. 

 

[PalJoey]

 

I love, love, love, love LOVE this show! I HOPE this happens.

 

[SFFrontRow]

Esther said: "
I listen to the cast recording often. Scott Bakula was pre-TV fame and replaced the original lead from the Off-Broadway production who was someone of note (I want to say Alex Baldwin but I am sure that is wrong).

It was Dennis Parlato, who played Walter in Chess that same season.  Baldwin was replaced as a lead (by Tim Hutton) for a future tenant of  the Hayes 2 years later when Prelude to a Kiss moved uptown & he had a film to shoot. 

Thanks for that. It kept bugging me all last night and I couldn't find anything on the internet. Funny and a little scary that you were able to sort out the snippers of my memory. 

 

"

 

[Mister Matt]

I love, love, love, love LOVE this show! I HOPE this happens.

Awww...that makes my day, PJ.  Fingers crossed!

[Robbie2]

I over heard talk last night at Shuffle Along... Bradley Cooper & Romance/Romance.

[SFFrontRow]

That would be a perfect male lead. Pair him with Laura Benanti and  you've got a great little show. Problem is the venue. Circle in the Square or its original Harlem Hayes theater would be perfect.

Or how about a post-pregnancy Audra McDonald.

[Jordan Catalano]

 A friend of Keith Herrmann's told me that Keith doesn't have a damn clue what y'all are talking about and if this was happening, I'm sure the creators would know about it.