Pacific Overtures — Page 3

Great memory to cherish, SeanMartin!

My PACIFIC OVERTURES memory stems from the original company's OOT tryout in Boston (the Colonial, I think) before coming in to NY. At that point the show had an early joke-free (and kinda boring) version of the song "Chrysanthemum Tea", and the company sang "Next" in blue jeans and street clothes since the black and white costumes hadn't arrived yet. Sean, since you're into the details of set design (as I am), you'd appreciate that we in Boston did get to see the parade down the hanamichi of the steam-punkish set-pieces representing the American gifts to the Japanese that show up in the great Boris Aronson book.

I've always loved nearly every bit of this score, but I must admit that that first view of the full play onstage practically put me to sleep, particularly during the tedious developments in Act II. And Lordy, that "Welcome to Kanagawa" song was mirthless then and remains mirthless now. Would love to see if Mr. Doyle can finally make that number come to life.

For those who were asking about an extension, the show has now been extended through June 11.