The Visit
book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander.
Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s 1956 satirical play about greed and revenge “Der Besuch der alten Dame,” it focuses on one of the world’s wealthiest women, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her financially depressed hometown and offers its residents a new lease on life in exchange for the murder of Anton Schell, the man who scorned her years ago.
Background
The musical adaptation of The Visit was originally developed as a vehicle for Angela Lansbury and was scheduled for a Broadway opening on March 15, 2001. It had been scheduled for a try-out in Boston for December 2000-January 2001. Frank Galati was the director with Ann Reinking as choreographer, and co-starring Philip Bosco.[1] However, in July 2000 Lansbury withdrew due to the illness and subsequent death of her husband.[1][2]
Production History
Chicago, 2001
Chita Rivera was signed as Lansbury’s replacement and the musical, directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Ann Reinking, was staged with Rivera and John McMartin by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, opening on October 1, 2001.[2] Galati said that because of the September 11, 2001 attacks the show did not move to Broadway: “It was generally a success, but we couldn’t get anyone from New York or California to see it. People weren’t flying.” In that climate, he says, “the whole idea of moving a very dark parable about human greed, the dark side of human nature,” was difficult. Reinking said: “By the time you really could travel and people felt safe again, our run was up.”[3][4] Regional theatre productions were considered as an alternative, while McNally rewrote the book. Then, in late 2003, The Public Theater announced it was mounting an off-Broadway production with Rivera and Frank Langella early the following year, but that too was cancelled when financing fell through.[5]
Signature Theatre, 2008
The Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia production of The Visit, began previews on May 13, 2008, officially opened on May 27 and ran through June 22. With direction by Frank Galati and choreography by Ann Reinking, Rivera was once again in the lead, with co-stars George Hearn and Mark Jacoby.[6][7] Prior to this production, a closed reading was held on February 19, 2008, with, among others, Jayne Houdyshell, Florence Lacey, and Jason Danieley, joining Rivera, Hearn and Mark Jacoby.[8]
Concert, 2011
On November 30, 2011, Rivera and John Cullum, directed by Carl Andress, starred in a stage concert at the Ambassador Theatre, presented by The Actors Fund and The Vineyard Theatre.[9]
Williamstown Theatre Festival, 2014
A one-act version appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, (Massachusetts) running from July 31, 2014 to August 17. The cast featured Chita Rivera, Jason Danieley, Judy Kuhn, Roger Rees, Diana DiMarzio, David Garrison and Rick Holmes, with direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele.[10][11][12] Music Direction was by David Loud who has served as Music Director for each incarnation of the show.
Broadway, 2015
It is expected that a “streamlined, one-act” version of The Visit will premiere on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre in April 2015, in previews as of March. With direction by John Doyle and choreography by Graciela Daniele, Rivera and Rees will star.[13]
Cast 2015
| Chita Rivera | Claire Zachannassian | |
| Roger Rees | Anton Schell | |
| George Abud | Karl | |
| Jason Danieley | Frederich Kuhn | |
| Matthew Deming | Louis Perch | |
| Diana DiMarzio | Annie Dummermut | |
| David Garrison | Peter Dummermut | |
| Rick Holmes | Father Josef | |
| Tom Nelis | Rudi | |
| Chris Newcomer | Jacob Chicken | |
| Mary Beth Peil | Matilde Schell | |
| Aaron Ramey | Otto Hahnke | |
| John Riddle | ||
| Elena Shaddow | Ottilie | |
| Timothy Shew | Hans Nusselin | |
| Michelle Veintimilla | Young Claire |
| Standby: Donna McKechnie (Claire Zachannassian) |
Creative
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Based on the 1956 play by Friedrich Duerrenmatt
Book adapted by Maurice Valency
Musical Director: David Loud
Music arranged by David Loud
Music orchestrated by Larry Hochman
Directed by John Doyle
Choreographed by Graciela Daniele
Scenic Design by Scott Pask
Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman
Sound Design by Dan Moses Schreier
Hair and Wig Design by Paul Huntley
Make-Up Design by Angelina Avallone
Technical Supervisor: Hudson Theatrical Productions
Musical Coordinator: John Monaco
Plot
In the small town of Brachen, Switzerland, the townspeople are poor. They are told that Claire Zachanassian, a former resident and now the world’s richest woman (by virtue of many fortunate marriages), will pay a visit. The townspeople see Claire as their last hope (“Out of the Darkness”). Claire, who has an artificial leg, arrives in a puff of train steam, carried by Jacob Chicken and Louis Perch, (freed from jail by Claire). She is escorted by her entourage: the falsetto-singing eunuchs Lenny and Benny, her butler Rudi and her latest much-younger husband Evgeny. (“At Last”, “I Walk Away”). Anton, the town’s shopkeeper and Claire’s former lover still has feelings for her, and thinks that they might renew their romance (“I Know Claire”). Although Claire and Anton reminisce about their youthful affair, and the Young Anton and Young Claire dreamily dance (“You, You, You”), Claire soon reveals her macabre plan. Claire explains that she was pregnant by Anton as a teen, but because of Anton’s false testimony, was forced to leave the town. She explains that the true purpose of her visit is to seek revenge, and offers to give the people billions if they will kill Anton.
The townspeople are at first repelled, but gradually rationalize their desire for material possessions (“Yellow Shoes”). Anton ultimately realizes that he is to blame for the misery that Claire has endured, and accepts responsibility (“Fear”). He and his family take one last joyful car-ride together (“A Car Ride”), and Claire and Anton make peace with the fate to come (“In the Forest Again”). The townspeople murder Anton (“Finale”).
Musical Numbers
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Critical Reaction
In reviewing the Signature Theatre production, theatre critic Peter Marks of The Washington Post wrote that it is an “admirable if not consistently embraceable musical”, and that it “comes across as something short of electrifying with the addition of song and dance. It makes at times for a jarring art-house spectacle, as in the creepy contributions of Claire’s eunuchs, harmonizing in falsetto. And yet there is also fine craftsmanship here, courtesy of director Frank Galati (Ragtime) and a design team expertly conjuring a laconic, Brechtian physical realm…” The score is”…a melodically cohesive web of Middle European waltzes and choral numbers that befit the cynical strands in the story and the formality of Swiss society.”[14]
Paul Harris, reviewing for Variety, wrote: “The polished Signature production offers much to admire, starting with an abundance of enjoyable melodies and clever lyrics from K&E…The radiant [Chita] Rivera offers a stylish performance as the aloof Claire, a woman eager to heap disdain on everyone she meets while guardedly avoiding remorse over the dirty plot against her only true love. She handles song and dance assignments with equal aplomb…[George] Hearn is equally credible…Not everything works. Trouble spots include an overly contrived act-one number in which the townspeople beg for Claire’s help…But in its reincarnation, there is sufficient vitality, intrigue and entertaining music to make for a most satisfying “Visit.”[15]
References
- Jones, Kenneth. “Angela Lansbury Withdraws From ‘The Visit’; Producers Seek Alternatives” playbill.com, July 20, 2000
- Jones, Kenneth and Simonson, Robert.“Playbill News: Rivera Is Triple Threat in Kander & Ebb’s The Visit, Opening Oct. 1” playbill.com, October 1, 2001
- Pressley, Nelson.“A ‘Visit’ With Very Familiar Faces of Broadway” The Washington Post, June 1, 2008
- Rothstein, Mervyn.“Re-Visiting ‘The Visit’” playbill.com, May 23, 2008
- Simonson, Robert.“‘The Visit’ Will Not Visit Off-Broadway as Investors Pull Out” playbill.com, August 22, 2003
- Signature Theatre
- Jones, Kenneth.The Visit, With Rivera, Hearn and Jacoby, Opens May 27″ playbill.com, May 27, 2008
- Gans, Andrew.“Lacey, Danieley, Felciano and Lazar Will Join Rivera and Hearn for ‘Visit’ Reading” playbill.com, February 14, 2008
- Hetrick, Adam.“John Kander, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera Hopeful ‘The Visit’ Will Linger on Broadway” playbill.com, November 28, 2011
- Hetrick, Adam. “Jason Danieley Replaces Howard McGillin in Kander and Ebb’s ‘The Visit’; Stars of ‘Veep’ and ‘Girls’ Join Williamstown Season” playbill.com, June 2, 2014
- “The Verdict: Critics Review Kander and Ebb’s The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera” playbill.com, August 4, 2014
- Hetrick, Adam.” The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera, Ends at Williamstown; Creators Hopeful for Future Life” playbill.com, August 17, 2014
- Hetrick, Adam. “Chita Rivera Will Return to Broadway in Kander and Ebb’s The Visit” playbill.com, January 8, 2015
- Marks, Peter.“Dancing in The Dark: ‘The Visit’ With Chita Rivera”Washington Post, May 29, 2008
- Harris, Paul.“Legit Reviews, Regional. ‘The Visit’” Variety, May 28, 2008
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