Pacific Overtures 1976

Ages: 10+
Opened: January 11, 1976
Closing: June 27, 1976

Pacific Overtures - 1976 - Broadway History , Info & More

Winter Garden Theatre (Broadway)
1634 Broadway New York, NY 10019

Spanning 150 years, Pacific Overtures tells the story of Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in the "Floating Kingdom" of Nippon in 1853. The show chronicles the influence America had upon Japan, detailing and dramatizing the westernization of Japanese culture.

Get Pacific Overtures Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Sells for $3.25 Million
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


The home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, which BroadwayWorld previously reported was for sale, has sold for $3.25 million. Learn more!

Over 200 Lots of Stephen Sondheim Memorabilia to be Auctioned Off in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2024


 Doyle will be auctioning the Collection of Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10am. Learn more about the auction and about Stephen Sondheim.

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced today the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters (Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun) and Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Here Lies Love), and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne (Swan Lake, My Fair Lady), playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 22, 2024
by - Mar 22, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Amas Musical Theatre To Honor Patricia Birch And Len Cariou At 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2024


Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

PACIFIC OVERTURES, World Premieres & More Set for East West Players 2024 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 1, 2024


East West Players has unveiled its the 2024 Season. See full programming and lear how to purchase tickets!

Interview: Lea Salonga & Sir David Suchet of SEASON OF LIGHT, CHRISTMAS WITH THE TABERNACLE CHOIR on PBS
by Gil Kaan - Dec 6, 2023


The Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir holiday special celebrates its 20th year with PBS premiering December 12, 2023. This perennial favorite, PBS’ #1 holiday show each year, this year features guest stars Lea Salonga and Sir David Suchet performing with the 360-membered Tabernacle Choir and 110-piece Orchestra in the 21,000 seat Salt Lake City Conference Center. This program, titled Season of Light, was taped as a compilation of three performances last holiday season. I had the opportunity to partake in a Zoom Q&A with Lea, Sir David and music director Mack Wilberg.

Review: PACIFIC OVERTURES, Menier Chocolate Factory
by Cindy Marcolina - Dec 5, 2023


Matthew White’s latest creation is stunning and Sondheim’s score remains beautiful. White doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to condemning the actions depicted, though at the very end his vision seems to suddenly shift all the violence into the necessary evil that kick-started Japan’s technological advancement. Questionable, but interesting.

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan Townhouse Sells To Fan For $7M
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home has been sold to a Sondheim fan!

How Often Do Broadway Flops Return as a Hit?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 26, 2023


This time, the reader question was: With Merrily We Roll Along back on Broadway as a hit, how many musicals are flops in their original Broadway production and then return as smashes?

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Now For Sale
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023


The Connecticut home of the legendary Stephen Sondheim is now for sale. See details about the home of the late Broadway icon.

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 11, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

Trinity Rep Presents SWEENEY TODD
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2023


Trinity Repertory Company concludes its 2022-23 Season with the award-winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Curt Columbus, Sweeney Todd runs at Trinity Rep in the Dowling Theater from May 25 through June 25, 2023.

Applications Now Open for 2023 Prince Fellowship
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2023


The Prince Fellowship, in association with Columbia University School of the Arts, announced that applications are now open for the 2023 Fellowship program.

Interview: Theatre Life with Jason Ma
by Elliot Lanes - Mar 29, 2023


Today's subject Jason Ma is currently living his theatre life telling us all about 'The Advantages of Floating in The Middle of The Sea' in Signature Theatre's current production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's underappreciated masterpiece Pacific Overtures. Jason plays the lead role of Reciter plus other characters as well. The production runs through April ninth in Signature's MAX space.

Wake Up With BWW 3/15: GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR Casting, WICKED Movie Date Change, and More!
by - Mar 15, 2023


Top stories: Full casting for Good Night, Oscar; the first #WickedMovie will be released earlier than expected, and more!

Merle Dandridge, Michael Hayden, Jodi Long & More to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for the 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

Review: SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM at The Catherine Berges Theatre At The Center For The Creative Arts (COCA)
by Rob Levy - Feb 5, 2023


Although Side by Side by Sondheim provides audiences with a dose of light musical entertainment, those familiar with the composer’s prolific output may not be satisfied. This is because when these songs are taken out of the context of their full productions, some of the magic wanes.

Graham Phillips & Krystina Alabado to Star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

Alexandra Billings & Jane Kaczmarek to be Featured in INTO THE WOODS Presented by Pasadena Playhouse & P.U.S.D.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2023


In a landmark partnership, Pasadena Playhouse has been collaborating with all of the high schools of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) over the past 6 months to realize the students’ vision of Into the Woods.

Larry Owens' SONDHEIMIA, Bernadette Peters & More Announced for Pasadena Playhouse's Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

Interview: Gerald Sternbach's Making Music in JASON GRAAE'S GRAAETEST HITS & More
by Gil Kaan - Oct 4, 2022


Jason Graae brings his Graaetest (not a typo!) Hits – The Sequel to the El Portal October 21, 2022, accompanied by musical director Gerald Sternbach. I got a chance to catch up with Jerry after years of path-crossing at benefits and concerts.

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM Comes to the Triad Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 14, 2022


Open up the curtain, Sondheim tonight! Vanessa Paradis & Dream Productions present Side By Side By Sondheim at The Triad Theater October 6 and 7 at 7:00 pm, and October 9 at 3:00 pm.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Announces Passing of Founding Member Ernest Abuba
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 21, 2022


Pan Asian Repertory Theatre announced today the passing of founding member and company senior artist Ernest Abuba, the award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, and director on stage, film, and television, following a brief illness.

Bridgetown Conservatory to Present SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 15, 2022


Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre has announced the cast of its July 2022 in-person live production of Side by Side by Sondheim. The production will take place July 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2022 at The Tiffany Center's Crystal Room in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Pacific Overtures FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Pacific Overtures have there been?
Pacific Overtures has had 15 productions including Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1976, US Tour which opened in 1976, Off-Off-Broadway which opened in 1984, Off-Broadway which opened in 1984, Off-Broadway which opened in 1984, Regional (UK) which opened in 1987, which opened in 2000, Regional (US) which opened in 2001, US Tour which opened in 2002, US Tour which opened in 2003, West End which opened in 2003, Broadway which opened in 2004, Broadway which opened in 2004 and Off-Broadway which opened in 2017.
What Tony Awards has Pacific Overtures been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Book of a Musical for John Weidman, Best Choreography for Patricia Birch, Best Costume Design for Florence Klotz, Best Lighting Design for Tharon MusserBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Stephen Sondheim and Best Scenic Design for Boris Aronson.
What Tony Awards has Pacific Overtures won?
Best Book of a Musical for John Weidman, Best Choreography for Patricia Birch, Best Costume Design for Florence Klotz, Best Lighting Design for Tharon Musser, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Stephen Sondheim, Best Scenic Design for Boris Aronson, .
What awards has Pacific Overtures been nominated for?
Pacific Overtures has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, it received nominations for Costume Design at The Hewes Awards for Florence Klotz and Scenic Design for Boris Aronson.
What awards has Pacific Overtures won?
Pacific Overtures has won several awards. It was named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, it received recognition for its costume design by Florence Klotz, who won the Hewes Award in that category. The scenic design by Boris Aronson also earned a Hewes Award. These accolades highlight the exceptional talent and creativity that went into the production of Pacific Overtures.

Videos