Photos: DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY Cast Meets the Press!

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).

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.

Death Takes a Holiday will begin performances on Friday, June 10, 2011 and open officially on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). Death Takes a Holiday will play a limited engagement through September 4, 2011. This production marks the second time a new musical has been presented in this theatrical space, following the recent production of The Tin Pan Alley Rag.

The creative team includes Kevin Stites (Musical Direction & Supervision), Peter Pucci (Choreography), Derek McLane (Sets), Catherine Zuber (Costumes), Kenneth Posner (Lights), Jon Weston (Sound) and Tom Watson (Hair & Wigs).

In Death Takes a Holiday, it's just after the first World War and the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince (Ovenden), and for the first time experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman (Paice), the mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death. Directed by Tony® winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), this soaring tale of love is adapted by Tony®-winning writers Peter Stone (1776) and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray), and features lush, romantic songs by Tony® winner Maury Yeston (Nine, Titanic).

Casssella's play has inspired many recreations of his famous story, in radio, television and film. The 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday was followed by a 1937 airing on Cecil B. Demille's Lux Radio Theatre, a 1971 television production and the 1998 Hollywood remake titled Meet Joe Black.

Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street). Ticket prices range from $76-$86. 

Death Takes a Holiday will play Tuesday through Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. 

The Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre reflects Roundabout's commitment to produce new works by established and emerging writers as well as revivals of classic plays. This state-of-the-art off-Broadway theatre and education complex is made possible by a major gift from The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. The Trust was created in 1986 by Harold Steinberg to promote and advance American Theatre as a vital part of our culture by supporting playwrights, encouraging the development and production of new work, and providing financial assistance to theatre companies across the country. Since its inception, the Trust has awarded over $45 million to more than 100 not-for-profit theatre organizations.

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.