City Center Encores - Dear World

Up In One said: "The Encores artistic director gave a pre-curtain speech tonight that suggested that this evenings show might not be perfect mentioning Donna had tested positive the first day of rehearsal and had to miss the first five days of the ten day rehearsal process. Donna did rely on script pages this evening and was not completely committed in the book scenes but she was her amazing self in the songs. The new adaptation has rearranged the songs. I would like to hear from others who are familiar with the original script. I found the first act oddly structured with the first few songs being solos for Donna. The 2nd act played much better. The biggest take away was the subject matter - ridiculously timely - as if it were written with the New Palestine Ohio disaster in mind instead of 1969. The placement of the song Dear World was so poignant it caught me emotionally. Kudos to the magnificent and large orchestra and ensemble of strong singers. There’s definitely something there to be mined more than this adaptation or production was able to unearth."



We watched this Saturday and loved it. We did notice that Donna was carrying papers and looked down every once and awhile, but she really played it off well. Her voice was amazing and the rest of the cast was great. We sat next to a gentleman that saw the original broadway cast and he was impressed and stated that he preferred this version of the musical. As you mentioned the large orchestra was great. We knew nothing about it coming in, and admittedly it was a little crazy, but we loved it.

Broadway Flash said: "absolutely loved this. Donna Murphy was superb. I hear theres rumors of a Broadway transfer."

I sure hope so! Looking for a new show to fill my slot where ROOM was in May...might be a bit later than that for this transfer

I watched it yesterday and was certainly entertained!

Afterwards I read up more about the show on wikipedia and learned back in 1969 when this show opened, Jerry Herman was the first songwriter to have 3 shows on Broadway at the same time (Hello Dolly, Mame, and Dear World.)

Was there Sunday night, the last performance. Yes the book is creaky and illogical, yet the music soars, may be one of Jerry Herman's finest scores. And when the orchestra played the overture, pure heaven. The cast was gold (Donna Murphy is the ultimate pro-even with script in hand), yet a Broadway transfer would be a financial disaster-not enough broad appeal in the material (IMHO). Let it rest and let it enjoy its Encores' glory!

It was all so delightfully odd! I loved it. And Donna is magical