The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
#1The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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?
#2The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/3/14
#3The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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?
#4The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
Posted: 6/4/15 at 5:19am
Fun Fact: The production transferred in August to the Morosco.
Fantod
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/3/14
#5The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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.
#6The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
Posted: 6/4/15 at 7:43am
Apparently they were both nominated for a Tony for their performances
Michael19
Understudy Joined: 3/3/11
#7The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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 (?)....
#8The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#9The Lunts in THE VISIT (1958)
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.
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