Dear World Revival?

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 9:57am

Just listening to the DEAR WORLD recording and I noticed in the liner notes that at the time of the CD's re-release in 1991 Jerry Herman had totally overhauled this piece and was in serious talks for a Revival! Obviously this never came to fruition, but does anyone have any ideas about why? or if it will? or what was overhauled?

Just curious.

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 10:01am

Well at some point I read somewhere, don't ask me where, it is some time ago, that there were plans of a revival that has the song "dear world" go trunk with the whole show being rewritten and called "The Spring of next Year". But I haven't heard of this since then, so I guess that was just something thought loudly by then.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 10:01am

Well, unless they can get someone who is as good or better than Angela Lansbury (which will likely never happen), any revival will be dead in the water.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 10:04am

A private reading/workshop was done a couple of years ago at Roundabout with Chita Rivera. They ultimately decided to drop it, obviously.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 11:59am

Wow thx you guys are amazing!

MEF I totally agree! It seems the Goodspeed did it in 2000 with Sally Ann Howes (the original Truly Scrumptious) and in 2002 Maureen McGovern threw her hat in the ring at The Sundance Theatre, but if these two ladies and Chita Rivera are not strong enough to get this revival off the ground it seems its dead in the water for good!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:02pm

I don't think you'll see a major Broadway revival of this, but I could see Encores or even Paper Mill Playhouse attempting this, with someone like Betty Buckley, Patti LuPone etc.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:02pm

It's not a strong piece to begin with. A fine score but it has many problems that aren't likely to be resolved through revision or stunt casting.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:04pm

Nobody will top Angela, but here are a few suggestions, in case anybody ever tries:

I concur with MB on Patti or Betty
Elaine Paige
Julia McKenzie
Bernadette
Victoria Clark

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:05pm

I agree, Bobby. This and MACK AND MABEL really are best relegated to concert presentations. As full theatrical productions, they just don't work, no matter how much tweaking the writers do the book.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:12pm

Buckley could work.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:42pm

Basically, it's a problem with the original play, actors and directors LOVE the play, audiences HATE it. (i.e. it's the anti-Sound of Music)

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:55pm

Even if powers-that-be were to revise it successfully (which is impossible), there is simply no market for this show in contemporary musical theatre.


Amelie Helie
Belleville, Paris (20 arrondissement)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 12:58pm

As much as I would kill to see Dear World on the broadway stage, it is just never going to happen. If Encores or Papermill does it, I will probably go multiple times...regardless of the cast.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 1:09pm

There are some gems in the score though. I love "I Don't Want to Know" and "I've Never Said I Love You". Emily Skinner does a great version of the second on her solo cd.
Updated On: 7/14/05 at 01:09 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 1:18pm

A friend of mine once said that one of his fondest memories ever was attending opening night and sitting at Angela Lansbury's table at Sardi's afterwards.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 1:19pm

"I Never Said I Love You" is a fabulous song!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 1:20pm

Kurt Peterson used to tell a great story about going out for Italian food between shows and later getting a note from the stage manager saying "Miss Lansbury would appreciate you please not eating garlic before your scenes on the bed..."

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 1:22pm

That's hilarious! I wish I was alive to see this show.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:16pm

Don't forget "Each Tomorrow Morning" and "And I Was Beautiful" These are Gorgeous songs. Nothing terribly wrong with most of the score if you ask me!

There is a fabulous recording of Tyne Daly singing these merged together on "Tap Your Troubles Away" the All-Star tribute to Jerry Herman. If you are a fan you should get it. There is a moment at the end of the recording where Angela Lansbury comes out and says "I've always wanted to do this..." and begins to sing HELLO DOLLY! Shortly after Carol Channing comes out and says "Someone's singing my song!" and tells Angela that she forgives her as Carol sings MAME!

Fantastic! I would have given anything to be there!
Tap Your Troubles Away

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:29pm

Now I have that garbage song in my head. How does it go?

"Fa la la la garbage was a treasure..."

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:33pm

"pate du fois graf, thursday's gardenias, ribbons and orange rinds" (don't know if these are the correct lyrics)

"garbage fa la la, garbage fa la la, garbage faaaaa laaaaa...la!"

that song is awful. "The Tea Party" is brilliant!

[gymman]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:34pm

I have been trying to read up on past productions, and all the reviews seem to be mixed. They love the music, hate the book...
Why do audiences dislike the show so much? Is it really kind of a weird amalgam of fantasy, comedy, and melodrama? I have never had the opportunity to actually see it performed.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:38pm

Awww I love the garbage song!

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:49pm

I Agree,WithoutATrace, "The Tea Party" IS Brilliant!

Look at Maureen McGovern giving it all she's got!

I think the costumes for this show can be so creative.
Maureen McGovern as Countess Aurelia

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 2:50pm

It's like Brooklyn goes Victorian.