I have been told by many people that I should go see The Visit when I'm in town for the Tonys. I don't know very much about it. Is it worth making it one of only 3 shows I'm seeing? What can Yall tell me that will help me make up my mind?
It's a wonderful show. Went to see it twice at WTF, once was just not enough. It's dark, shocking, powerful, and full of great performances. Chita is giving the performance of a lifetime in this role.
Unless The Skin Of Our Teeth gets done on Broadway (unlikely), this will be the last Kander/Ebb musical you will ever see. Add to that Chita Rivera and what may or may not be her final Broadway appearance.
tombomb31, When the world’s wealthiest woman returns home for the first time in decades, it’s the talk of the town. When that woman is portrayed by the legendary CHITA RIVERA, it’s Broadway history in the making. This spring, the sensational two-time Tony® winner joins Tony Award® winner ROGER REES (Nicholas Nickleby) in a stunning tale of young love, timeless seduction, and sweet revenge. Sure to become the season’s most delicious musical sensation, THE VISIT marks the historic final collaboration between the creators of the Tony award-winning masterwork Kiss of the Spider Woman. JOHN KANDER and FRED EBB, the Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning songwriters behind some of the most iconic musicals of the past 50 years, including Chicago and Cabaret, collaborate once more with four-time Tony Award winner TERRENCE McNALLY (Master Class, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman). This incredible triumvirate, joined by celebrated choreographer GRACIELA DANIELE (Ragtime, The Rink) and director JOHN DOYLE, the Tony Award-winning visionary behind the revivals of Sweeney Todd and Company, now brings THE VISIT to Broadway.
Mr. Smith, I really don't need to learn my history, because Fred has been dead about 11 years now. (It'll be 11 years on Sept. 11, actually. Of course, he died in 2004, not during the terrorist attacks in 2001.) So K&E have been disbanded, due to the loss of Fred, for nearly 11 years. And boy is he missed!
But thanks all for backing me up.
And Roxy, I believe the score remains intact save for a few reprises? That's what I've heard.
Updated On: 3/22/15 at 11:44 PM
The Visit is based on the classic Friedrich Durrenmatt play (adapted by Maurice Valency) and features a book by Terrence McNally, with music by Kander and lyrics by Ebb. Claire Zachanassian is an often-widowed millionairess who pays a visit to her hardship-stricken birthplace. The locals hope she’ll bring them a new lease on life, but little do they know her offer to revitalize the town comes at a dreadful price.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
I've already told Roxy numerous times. It's 100% a full K&E score. Only cuts are a tango dance number and a very short reprise of Winter. Otherwise everything is there, besides a couple songs having a cut verse. It's a streamlined production, but it's definitely a complete show and score.
Beyond the creative team and casting, I found the WTF production to be very bland. It seemed nothing more than some nice songs, weird colors of yellow, and Chita Rivera walking around. While I know it's quite a feature for Kander and Ebb's show to start such a legend, I found it to be nothing worth raving or rushing about.
I hope it picks up a few sparks of energy or change in New York.
Also, Kander states in the article that the one act show is complete, and the score has not been majorly altered in any way. This should relieve Roxy's fears.