Interview: David Lee Sets His Sights on His DEAR WORLD With Tyne, Jerry & Broadway

Director David Lee's latest directorial project DEAR WORLD stars Tyne Daly in a one-night-only concert performance at the Valley Performing Arts Center on September 30, 2016. The multi-lauded director/writer/producer of such television hits as Cheers, Fraiser and Wings continues his childhood passion in theatre.

Hello there, David! Thank you for taking the time to interview with BroadwayWorld and myself.

Happy to do it, Gil.

Jerry Herman and Tyne Daly. What attracted you to direct this one-nighter of DEAR WORLD?

It was serendipity. Suzie Dietz, the producer, and I were looking to start a concert series of interesting musicals with big orchestras and great casts. Simultaneously, she heard that Tyne had always wanted to play Countess Aurelia in DEAR WORLD. VPAC liked the idea and we were on our way.

You must have seen Tyne perform many of her theatrical roles. Which one is your favorite and why?

Well, sadly, I missed her GYPSY, which is spoken of in only the highest of terms. But I loved her in MOTHERS AND SONS where she touched me deeply and in IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU where she left me shaking with laughter. In film, if you didn't catch her recently in Hello, My Name is Doris, you missed a beautiful, understated performance that is the stuff acting teachers should use in class.

Do you find it easier to direct a performer who's more established on the boards than someone with less experience on stage? Or is it just different approaches you need to utilize?

Of course it is easier to direct someone who has experience in the medium, whatever it is. There is a shorthand in communication and you deal with instincts that only come from having done it before, and done it well.

You've directed an abridged production of SOUTH PACIFIC at the Hollywood Bowl where rehearsal times are known to be pretty short. What will your rehearsal period be for DEAR WORLD?

We begin on Monday and perform it on Friday night. But it is strictly a concert. Actors are at music stands reading their parts. No walking around with scripts in hand. Because of this, we are able to concentrate on the music and text more than "semi-staged" productions. Believe it or not, though not luxurious, our schedule permits ample time to accomplish what needs to be done with high quality.

What was the very first Jerry Herman show you ever saw? How old were you then? And what impression did that show have on you then?

I have a very vivid memory of seeing Ginger Rogers in HELLO, DOLLY at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in what was perhaps its first year of operation. It hooked this high school kid on musicals. When she entered reading that newspaper on a (fake) horse-drawn cart, I was in heaven.

You've already tackled directing 110 IN THE SHADE. What other Jerry Herman piece would you love to helm?

Yes, I did 110 IN THE SHADE, but that is by Schmidt and Jones, not Herman.

Of course, it's not Jerry Herman! My bad! I've been prepping for my interview with Tom Jones and his 110 IN THE SHADE in your bio popped out.

What other projects would you like to undertake?

When I was a budding director, I directed a disastrous production of MAME. It still causes nightmares. So, not that. Maybe there's a DOLLY in my future.

You've worked at The Pasadena Playhouse, Two River Theater Company, the Williamstown Theater Festival, The Papermill Playhouse and the aforementioned Hollywood Bowl. Any other particular theatrical venues you're yearning to work at?

Well, there's always Broadway, right? I hear that's a nice venue.

Is there a diva whom you would just love to direct?

Depends on your definition of "Diva." If it's one definition, the answer is "No." If the other, then "yes;" but I wouldn't want to show favor by naming them.

You have a large coffee table full of Emmys and other distinguished awards primarily earned for your years of television accomplishments. Would you like to direct or write a television project again? Or do you prefer creating in the thea-ta?

A lot of people don't know this about me, but I was trained and worked in the theater until TV crossed my path. I'm happy I did TV, but I always considered it a detour from theater. I'm not really interested in returning to TV. I made a living, made a contribution I'm proud of, and I hope made a lot of people laugh. But now, in the theater, I'm back where I've always wanted to be - probably since I saw that HELLO DOLLY at the Music Center.

Any projects you're committed to in the near future you can share with us?

Next up is a concert reading of WONDERFUL TOWN for the LA OPERA in December. It launches their months-long tribute to Leonard Bernstein's centenary. This will have a couple of fully-staged dance numbers, though, so that will be a nice change. And a 59-piece orchestra! I'll be a pig in slop!

Thank you, David! I look forward to seeing your first project on Broadway - I'm sure in the very near future!

For the opportunity to experience the artful convergence of Herman, Daly and Lee; head out to Valley Performing Arts Center September 30. For tickets, log onto ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org or call (818) 677-3000.