The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 1:21am

As we all know Kander & Ebb's musical version of the Friedrich Dürrenmatt play is currently playing at the Lyceum, but 57 years ago this spring the source play had its Broadway premiere across the street at the newly rechristened Lunt-Fontanne. The rpocuction starred the theater's namesakes, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and would go on to run a respectable 189 performances.

Did anyone see it, have memories to share?

[AAO26]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 3:09am

Updated On: 6/4/15 at 03:09 AM

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 3:18am

^ 

A new definition of "no class".

 

Nowack, thank you very much for those pictures, they are stunning, especially for their age.

[Fantod]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 4:42am

To be able to see such legends live on stage. Incredible. 

And seriously, Sally, why am I blocked?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 5:19am

Fun Fact: The production transferred in August to the Morosco.

[Fantod]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 5:35am

The show took a month or so long hiatus. I don't think it transferred so much as it came back.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 7:43am

Apparently they were both nominated for a Tony for their performances

[Michael19]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 7:54am

It was one of the greatest productions I've ever seen....the Lunts were magnificent, giving extraordinary performances in their finest play.  It also played City Center....Peter Brook directed....I am so fortunate to have seen this...Were they both nominated and did he win (?)....

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 9:04am

"It was one of the greatest productions I've ever seen....the Lunts were magnificent, giving extraordinary performances in their finest play.  It also played City Center....Peter Brook directed....I am so fortunate to have seen this...Were they both nominated and did he win (?)...."

 Alfred Lunt, Lynn Fontanne and Peter Brook were all nominated for 1959 Tony awards, but none of them won. How amazing it must have been to see them live. For those that have real interest in the history of theatre, there is a TV copy of the Lunts doing their next-to-last Broadway play, THE GREAT SEBASTIANS.

 

[WOSQ]

Posted: 6/4/15 at 9:27am

The last few pages of "All That Glittered" by Ethan Mordden has a detailed description of a piece of staging that Fontanne did on her own at the end of what was then Act One (of three) of The Visit. The book is worth owning if only for this tale.