Chita Rivera Set for Her Return to Broadway in The Visit
(© David Gordon)
The Visit, the final Broadway show of the 2014-15 season, celebrates its opening night tonight, April 23, at the Lyceum Theatre. The show began previews March 26 after originating at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2014.
Tony winner John Doyle directs a cast led by Tony winners Chita Rivera and Roger Rees, Jason Danieley, Matthew Deming, Diana Dimarzio, David Garrison, Rick Holmes, Tom Nelis, Chris Newcomer, Aaron Ramey, Timothy Shew, Michelle Veintimilla, George Abud, Mary Beth Peil, Elena Shaddow, and John Riddle.
The Visit, one of the final musicals of the legendary songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, tells the story of Claire Zachanassian (Rivera), the oft-widowed richest woman in the world. She returns to the hardship-stricken town of her birth, where the locals pray that her wealth will bring them a new lease on life, but the carefully plotted renewal she offers carries a dreadful price. The show is based on the 1956 play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and features a book by Terrence McNally.
The Visit has been aiming for Broadway since 2000. Originally scheduled for a Broadway opening in 2001 with Angela Lansbury as the star, the production was canceled when Lansbury withdrew. A subsequent 2001 production at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, starring Rivera, aimed for Broadway but was delayed after September 11. Financing issues scuttled a 2003 production off-Broadway at the Public Theater. A 2008 staging took place at Arlington, Virginia's Signature Theatre, and a Vineyard Theatre benefit concert of the musical occurred in 2011. The 2014 Williamstown production ran from July 31-August 17.
Check out photos from the show below.
For tickets and more information, click here.
