Images: 
Total Rating: 
***1/2
Previews: 
March 26, 2015
Opened: 
April 23, 2015
Ended: 
June 14, 2015
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Tom Kirdahy, Tom Smedes, Hugh Hayes, Peter Stern, Judith Ann Abrams, Hunter Arnold, Carl Daikeler, Ken Davenport, Rich Affannato, Gabrielle Palitz, in assoc w/ Williamstown Theater Festival (MA).
Theater Type: 
Broadway
Theater: 
Lyceum Theater
Theater Address: 
149 West 45 Street
Website: 
thevisitmusical.com
Genre: 
musical
Author: 
Music: John Kander. Book: Terrence McNally adapting Friedrich Durrenmatt play. Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Director: 
John Doyle
Choreographer: 
Graciela Daniele
Review: 

A long time ago, Friedrich Durrenmatt wrote a play, The Visit, which was adapted by Maurice Valency, and then re-adapted into a musical with book by Terrence McNally, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It’s now playing on Broadway with the live wire Chita Rivera and Roger Rees in the leads and a large, very strong cast, including a vivid Mary Beth Peil.

A woman leaves her poor small town and comes back years later a billionaire, with the murder of her former lover in mind. This parable of greed is directed with great imagination by John Doyle, with stunning choreography by Graciela Daniele, a set with style by Scott Pask and all with a Brechtian sensibility. The counterpoints of movement, including straight lines of townspeople, a seldom-seen sight in today’s theater, are exciting. The large cast has no flaws-- all sing well, move well, interact well. I liked seeing the two leads when they were young played by the fine singers John Riddle and Michelle Veintimilla.

The Visit is an unusual, complex, gripping musical experience; the songs of Kander and Ebb cook.

Cast: 
Chita Rivera, Roger Rees, Jason Danieley, Matthew Deming
Technical: 
Set: Scott Pask. Costumes: Ann Hould-Ward. Sound: Dan Moses Schreier. Lighting: Japhy Weideman
Critic: 
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed: 
May 2015