The Visit with Chita Rivera and George Hearn- An Excellent First Preview Performance

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:13am

I just got back from the Visit at Signature Theatre. Despite a power outage in the first part of act 1 which caused the house staff to clear the theatre for a few minutes after the stage manager stopped the show (and Chita singing in the dark), it was quite possibly one of the most touching performances I have seen.

Unlike most Signature productions, this did not include any of the usual local suspects. It did however have a uniformly strong cast, led by Chita Rivera and George Hearn. Great chemistry, great singing, and acting from the two of them and good performances by the rest of the cast. It was like watching a master class (watching Rivera and Hearn, that is). While the Visit may not ever have the recognizable catchy tunes that Cabaret or Chicago has, it is a very touching story with appropriate songs to the show that move the story along and while also giving us insight into the characters. It deserves another life. The usually stodgy DC audience (which was mostly elderly subscribers) gave it a standing ovation. 3/4 of the audience was on their feet by the end.

I know tickets are selling fast so I urge everyone who can to go see this. Between this and Spiderwoman, and to some extent, Happy Time, Signature has made for an excellent celebration of Kander and Ebb's work.

As a side note, I also might add that John Kander was in the audience.

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 12:13 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:15am

I hope this can transfer!

Would love to see Chita and Hearn back on Broadway.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:18am

I would LOVE to see this transfer. I had to read the Dürrenmatt play (in German) my sophomore year and despite not understanding half of it...I really liked it. plus I love Kander, Ebb, Chita and George Hearn.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:22am

So excited to see this on May 24th! Thanks for the review!!!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:24am

Thanks for the review! I really wish I could see this. I love Durrenmatt's play and I'd love to see how it works as a Kander/Ebb musical.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:28am

PS. Is it true Chita doesn't dance at all in this?

I would love to see her in a serious acting/singing role.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:49am

She does a little bit of dancing in the second act and received extended applause from a very appreciative crowd.

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:53am

Very good review.

[matty159]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:56am

Thank you for that review! I have been waiting all day to hear first impressions!

[AAO26]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 1:33am

thanks for the review, based on your review, do you think the product merits a broadway transfer/? is it in solid shape?

any highlights,,,show stoppers? eleve o'clock numbers?

how is the staging/? how was chita? thanks

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 3:58am

The score is so unique. I know Smaxie compared it to something with influences from Kurt Weill and I completely agree, Kander/Ebb already channeled Weill with CABARET too. I've heard the Goodman audio and don't think much of the score but I've also heard that it was completely re-tooled and that it works wonders. I hope to see a Broadway run of the show, this might earn Rivera a third Tony.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 7:20am

I had originally compared the score to a blend of Kurt Weill and fractured Johann Strauss. It has a distinctly European sound. Personally, I couldn't wait to hear it again after the first time I heard it.

As far as "showstoppers," while I haven't seen the Signature incarnation yet, but "You Know Me," (with a sharp and funny Fred Ebb lyric) and "I Would Never Leave You," seem to be particular audience favorites. I think Chita has a great 11 o'clock number with "Love and Love Alone," which has a sort of creepy, hurdy-gurdy sound to it.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 7:22am

Has a recording been released?

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 7:37am

As in my other post, i hope this finds a life in new York. At least lets hope a Cast Recording comes from it.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 8:17am

I am very excited to be seeing this next month. Thanks for the well-written review!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 9:30am

I think it merits a transfer. They used a thrust stage and made very good use of it with some entries and exits through the audience.

The show stopper was definitely Chita's 11'0 clock number. Unlike some other posters (on other threads), I liked the production value of Yellow Shoes.

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 09:30 AM

[morosco]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:22am

Anyone know why all shows are dark this Saturday at Signature?

[Thomas14850ny2]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:37am

The score would have to been re-tooled a lot for this show to work as a musical. The original THE VISIT with Lunt and Fontanne didn't need the music. I'm wondering if this is a show, like A CATERED AFFAIR, that loses a lot in the translation to a musical. On the issue of dancing, doesn't Rivera's character have a wood leg?

[morosco]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:39am

On the issue of dancing, doesn't Rivera's character have a wood leg?

Yes.

Does the show still have the "One Legged Tango"?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:53am

How is the set?

[morosco]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:57am

Just found the answer as to why the Signature has no performances of The Visit or Happy Time on Saturday...
The Kander & Ebb Celebration Gala

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 12:37pm

Set is minimal though two stories high. The arched doors and balcony were used effectively.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 1:28pm

>The score would have to been re-tooled a lot for this show to work as a musical.<

The wants and needs of the characters - the two lead roles, as well as the townspeople - run high, as they must in a musical, and I think the score, which is sweeping and dramatic, serves those characters appropriately. The relationship between Claire and Anton is complex, moving from cold-blooded vengeance to something like a rekindled love affair, which also proves fruitful for Kander.

As for "Yellow Shoes," the number is one of those sunshiney musical theatre ensemble songs that curdles into something unexpectedly dark by the end of the act. As it represents the townspeople coming to terms and even embracing Claire's unconventional proposition and their newfound prosperity, I think it shows the very darkest of human nature, which is one of the main points of Durrenmatt's original play.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/17/08 at 8:36am

Here are production photos of The Visit:

[nmartin]

Posted: 5/17/08 at 9:17am

Thank you for those pictures. Look at Rivera! Great!