Death Takes a Holiday 2011 - Articles Page 1.8

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of the new musical Death Takes a Holiday, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, and directed by Doug Hughes. Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris, and originally produced by Messrs. Shubert. The production shots have just been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

The story at the heart of Death Takes a Holiday has taken many forms over the years. It first came to life (so to speak) as La Morte in Vacanza, written in 1924 by the Italian writer Alberto Casella. Originally billed as a 'supernatural comedy,' it was to be Casella's only major success outside of his home country, but what a success it was. Coming to Broadway in 1929, the play was seen in a popular English-language version by Walter Ferris and was first given the title Death Takes a Holiday. After that production's success, the play was also made into a beloved 1934 film starring Fredric March and would continue to appear in many forms over the following decades.

Roundabout Theatre Company's cast of Death Takes a Holiday met the press and BroadwayWorld.com was there! The new musical, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston is directed by Doug Hughes. The cast includes Linda Balgord (Contessa Danielli), Matt Cavenaugh (Eric Fenton), Mara Davi (Alice), Joy Hermalyn (Cora), Jay Jaski (Lorenzo), Simon Jones (Dr. Dario Albione), Rebecca Luker (Duchess Lamberti), Patricia Noonan (Sophia), Julian Ovenden (Prince Sirki / Death), Jill Paice (Grazia), Michael Siberry (Duke Lamberti), Alexandra Socha (Daisy Fenton), Don Stephenson (Fidele), Max Von Essen (Corrado Montelli).