The Visit Benefit

[After Eight]

Posted: 11/30/11 at 11:40pm

An excellent evening in the theatre. Very well done by everyone involved. The book was well written and the score melodic, though not really dark enough for the material. What it lacked was the heft and impact of the original play. But it was definitely one of the most satisfying shows I've seen in a long while.

Chita Rivera is, has always been, and doubtless always will be the treasure we all treasure.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:07am

Words cannot describe how brilliant Chita was tonight. I adore the woman and was thrilled to see her in another book musical. I did see this at Signature Theater a few years ago, and Chita has gotten even better since then. She is definitely a theatrical treasure.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:15am

Was there a standing ovation?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:19am

Wow, this was a late night for AE.

[egghumor]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:20am

Thanks, Neely. Your wit is so sparkling.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:23am

What was the show curtain like?

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 12:58am

I'm sure it was the same as Chicago since they are at the Ambassador.

How big was the orchestra?

Anyone think this could transfer?

How is John Cullum and everyone else? General consensus seems to be that Chita's amazing. Which we knew.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 4:53am

^

There was just a black curtain.

The orchestra played in the same space as the one in Chicago.

John Cullum doesn't have the singing voice of his prime, but he did a very good job with his role. I thought the entire cast was top-notch, with Chita Rivera amazing us all, once again.

Nicely staged, too.

As far as a transfer, I don't know if the nature if the material would bring in the crowds.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 10:34am

Wow, what an evening!!!!

Of the "leftover musicals" following the loss of Fred Ebb, this score impressed me the most - much better than CURTAINS, and at least as good as SCOTTSBORO BOYS.

Chita's performance was pure gold, nailing every subtle (and often, not so subtle) aspect of the book and lyrics.

I'm not sure how much of a commercial life this would have, but hopefully the score will be preserved soon on CD.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 10:46am

That's all fine but if there was a standing ovation and Grandpa didn't get to see the joyous looks on the actors faces because some hoodlum street kids in front of him were showing how much they enjoyed the show, the whole evening was a total bust.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 2:13pm

I wasn't blown away by it. I think there are some really beautiful and ingenious moments, but there are also some that come off as bizarre and fall flat. The book could use some fleshing out, but most of the score is lovely. Chita Rivera would hands down win the Tony Award if she ever got to play this part on Broadway. It was my first time seeing her live and I was absolutely floored by her performance. John Cullum on the other hand...not so much. He was mediocre at best. It was a nice evening, but I didn't love the show. It's certainly good, just not great, in my opinion.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 3:24pm

I think a limited Roundabout production may be this show's best bet. I would LOVE to see Chita win another Tony!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 3:38pm

Were any of the critics there? I didn't see anythng in the Times or the Post today. I agree that Roundabout's doing it would be a good starting (?????!!!!!) for this. If the response is overwhelmingly in its favor, it can always extend/transfer, whatver needs to be done. At the very least, it will give people an opportunity to judge for themselves. And, most importantly, may pave the way to a commercial recording.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 3:55pm

I had a fun time last night; in a way THE VISIT is a strange choice for a concert reading because its a piece that truly depends on visionary direction to reach its full potential, but the chance to hear a 'new' Kander and Ebb score and of course to see Chita Rivera, still knocking it out of the park, in a role that fits her perfectly was irresistible.

Count me among those that would love to see the show mounted at Studio 54. As much as I admire John Cullum's work, I'd like to see Rivera teamed with someone a little more vital - how about Len Cariou?

If they can't get a Broadway ball rolling; I hope the piece is at least given a further regional staging or two. The piece isn't perfect (no musical adaptation of such an esoteric piece ever could be) but I think its definitely a show worthy of an audience.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 4:08pm

What about George Hearn again? He and Cullum have always had similar voices, though Hearn's has held up better.

[dreaming]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 4:28pm

I think part of the issue was that Cullum was a replacement and not as familiar with the material. I saw him in The Scottsboro Boys and he was brilliant. If he had more time to learn the role (I'm guessing there weren't that many rehearsals), he probably would have matched Chita's energy level. I really adore him and felt he was the cast member robbed of a nomination for his brilliant work in Scottsboro (I was impressed as his energy level and the subtlety with which he tackled the role).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 4:31pm

I honestly think Cariou is a better actor and would be a better fit for the role. Hearn is a force of nature, which isn't really right for the character of Anton. Cullum's vulnerability was right, and perhaps he'd be really strong in a fully staged production; but last night he felt just a little bit frail and read as a little old for the role of a father of teenage children (to be fair, Rivera is also quite a bit older than her character - both are about 60 in the original play). I think Cariou could probably still pull that off.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 8:10pm

Although Cullum was fantastic in Scottsboro, hardly a night went by this summer when he did not blank on lines at Shakespeare in the Park. I realize Shakespeare is a different beast, and Cullum, veteran that he is, is able to sell it- but age, I think, is starting to get the best of him.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 8:41pm

In the rehearsal video BWW had Cullum basically admited he was still a bit lost and confused about, at least, the direction of the material.

I'm glad this was so well received--I hope we at least a recording. From what I've heard (from the DC production), it would probably be my fave K&E score since Spider Woman. Has the work been changed much since then?

Is this the last of the "lost" K&E shows? From all reports I've heard Over and Over/Skin of Our Teeth is basically considered unworkable.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/1/11 at 9:04pm

If this made it to Broadway this spring, it would likely sweep most of the musical categories, given how weak the competition is this year.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/2/11 at 9:08am

I'd guess, if it did transfer this season, it'd win Best Score and Chita would win Best Actress. I think NEWSIES will win Best Musical by default. It's a shame this year is so boring for musicals.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/2/11 at 9:10am

Watch out for ONCE....

[mamaleh]

Posted: 12/2/11 at 9:18am

I remember fondly John McMartin in the non-musical THE VISIT back in '73. If the show heads to Broadway after he finishes his run in ANYTHING GOES, I'd love to see him once again essay that part.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/2/11 at 10:30am

^

Yes, he was great in that.

That was a fine production of a very strong play.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 12/2/11 at 10:38am

The fully staged version I saw at The Signature a couple of years ago was one of the most memorable theatrical experiences I have ever had.

The brilliance of McNally's book and the Kander and Ebb score is that they have transformed a German Expressionist revenge comedy into a true love story. A bizarre one to be sure, but a complete one. Rivera and Hearn were masterful.

The material is certainly too dark for a Broadway run, but it would thrive at a nonprofit for a carefully crafted limited run.