McNally, Kander & Ebb Masterpiece- THE VISIT is Stunning

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 10:58am

Saw last night's performance of the Visit. I expected great performances by Mrs. Rivera and Mr Hearn but was uncertain what to expect from the material after hearing about the Chicago production. BRILLIANT. I have been a fan of the Durrenmatt play for years, and they have created a wonderful adaptation. The music is haunting. If it weren't for those wonderful Kander vamps you might not be able to tell the score was written by John Kander. Fred Ebb's lyrics make you laugh and then leave you in tears seconds later. Forget about all this discussion about Patti LuPone and Kelli O'Hara. If this production were on Broadway there would be no discussion as to who would and should win the Tony. Chita Rivera is giving the performance of a lifetime in what can only be described as one of the great leading lady roles. Why do another revival of Gypsy when the one of greatest roles for a woman has yet to be seen on a NY stage. And she is matched by a thrilling George Hearn. His first act song "I Must Have Been Something" had the audience begging for more as did Mrs. Rivera's dance with her boys in the beginning of Act II. I dare to say that this is up there with Cabaret as one of Kander & Ebb's greatest works ever. A dark and haunting love story that kept me up much of last night. Signature Theatre continues to prove that they are doing the most exciting new work in the musical theatre.

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:35am

Thanks for that very enthusiastic review! Can't wait to see what the DC critics have to say.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:41am

Going in June. Can't wait!

[devonian.t]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:47am

You are getting me very excited!

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:59am

Looking forward to seeing this June 13!

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 3:08pm

Here's an interesting and well-written blog post on The Visit.
A most remarkable Visit

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 4:17pm

That was very well-written...thanks for posting it, Smaxie!

I really need to stop reading these reviews...I am not going to make it until June 7th without trying to see it beforehand!

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 4:18pm

Wow. I really hope this transfers. More K&E and more Chita on Broadway would be amazing.

[jv92]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:02pm

Wow! I hope this transfers. As much as I loved Curtains, I'd love to see some darker Kander and Ebb again. The Minstrel Show sounds exciting too. It must be quite offensive as the very brash Ebb refused to write a certain lyric for it before his death citing it as too offensive. So Kander was the dirty one!
My one wish, though, is for John Kander to write at least one show by himself. I'd be very interested to see how a score completely by him would turn out.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:05pm

Considering recent events, if the DC critics are even mildly bemused by this show I foresee an immediate NYC transfer.

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:07pm

B3TA, I agree, but at least if they do, this has a pedigree to back it up.

[jv92]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:16pm

B3TA, maybe it's because I'm slow witted, but what recent events?

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:18pm

Glory Days and Signature...sorry to answer for you B3TA!

[jv92]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:21pm

Oh, duh! (smacks forehead)
But...
Glory Days bombed. Wouldn't it be harder for this, even with K&E and Chita, to transfer after that catastrophe or am I just not getting this?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:21pm

It's OK, but yes I meant Glory Days' transfer haha

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:23pm

I doubt it. This is a whole different ballgame. Schaeffer isn't directing. It has been on a track to Broadway. The cast and creative team is well-known and stellar. This almost seems destined to arrive in NYC if received well!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:23pm

Wow! Sounds like my cup of tea. Excellent. Can't wait.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:24pm

I don't see how GLORY DAYS would affect this transfer at all. Besides originally being produced at the same Theater.

But THE VISIT has had a life before The Signature, and it has a very successful creative team and star.

Updated On: 5/19/08 at 08:24 PM

[matty159]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 8:27pm

ljay...it shouldn't. And hopefully not...for the reasons I stated above.

I also hope Signatures productions of Ace and Giant are destined for wonderful things next season!

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 2:18pm

I took 62 people to see the show on Sunday and everyone one of them liked it. I've been running a social group for theatre goers for 19 years in the DC area called The Ushers (www.ushers.us), and I can't remember when everyone in this group liked a show. Just to hear George Hearn sing and watch Chita giving a great performance -well it was so exciting.

We were sitting on both sides of the stage, and there were times that some actor was on the corners of the stage and blocked our view. I hope the director will correct this before it opens.

The production is stunning and the orchestra is phenomenal. It's well worth the trip to Arlington to see it.
My Podcasts With DC, Philly and NYC actors and Directors on DC Theatre Scene.com

[circusliz]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 6:24pm

FYI: Tickets are still readily available. I checked out the DC 1/2 price ticket booth today (online at www.ticketplace.org) and there were discount tix available for tonight and through the weekend.

Signature also has a rush program. Available seats (if any) go up for sale 30 min before curtain, for $20 (I think).

I'm hoping to get some of the discoutn tickets for this weekend. Will post a review if I do!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 6:34pm

I liked the Goodman production, though I didn't find it gush-worthy. I hope they improved on the show since The Goodman. I find it fascinating, but I still think it's going to be a tough sell commercially. Theatre fans will like it. Musical theatre fans will probably love it. Kander and Ebb/Chita fans will adore it unconditionally. But I'm not sure the typical Broadway tourist who ultimately decides a show's fate will enjoy it, however.

Do they still have the collage-train and the floating hay bales?

Updated On: 5/20/08 at 06:34 PM

[matty159]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 6:54pm

circusliz - Thanks for the heads-up on the availability at TicketPlace. I may try it for this weekend too if I can find someone to drive up to DC with me...I refuse to drive on 95 (long story).

[Brandy_Breath]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 8:57pm

circusliz, yes, they do have Rush for $20, limit two per person, 30 minutes prior for whatever is available but sometimes they let you buy them a little earlier. I've done rush seats many times at the Signature and never got a bad seat.

They also have volunteer ushers, so if you e-mail them about ushering you can see the show for free. They sit you wherever they have an open seat, just like rush.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 9:59pm

"Considering recent events, if the DC critics are even mildly bemused by this show I foresee an immediate NYC transfer."

I'd think that if the DC critics are "mildly bemused" by it, that would reduce its likelihood of transferring.

And if they're mildly amused by it, that might make a transfer even less likely.