The tuner — then California Dreamin' — had originally announced a March 14 start with an April 1 open. Soon after, the show reverted to its original title — from its June 2001 Toronto debut — to avoid confusion with Michelle Phillips' autobiography with the same title and pushed back its start to March 28 with an April 14 open to allow more time for the technically demanding production. The new delay is for the same reason.
Producer Eric Nederlander said in a released statement, "Unfortunately, the complex lighting and projection technology employed in the show has been more of a challenge than we anticipated." Refunds or exchanges will be given to patrons who are holding tickets for one of the cancelled performances.
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Denny Doherty, one of the two surviving members of The Mamas and the Papas, has teamed up with Canadian playwright Paul Ledoux to pen Dream A Little Dream a musical celebration of his former group. The stage show will now play at the Greenwich Village neighborhood where the group began.
Dream A Little Dream traces the story and the glory of the group from its humble beginnings to its rise to fame and back. The musical stars Papa Doherty — one fourth of the team of John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliott — who sang songs like "California Dreamin'," "Dedicated to the One I Love," "I Saw Her Again," "Monday Monday," "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)," which are all featured in the multi-media production, among other hits of the period. Randal Myler, who helmed the Village's last tenant Love, Janis will direct Dream A Little Dream. No stranger to musicals derived from popular music, Myler has also directed Hank Williams: Lost Highway. Myler also received credit as playwright on the previous works. Myler directs a new version of Almost Heaven, a musical about the life, times and music of John Denver, for the Denver Center Theatre Company in the 2003-04 season.
The design team will be Walt Spangler (set), David C. Woolard (costumes), Lucas J. Corrubia, Jr. (sound) and Jan Hartley (projections).
For tickets to Dream A Little Dream at the Village Theatre, 158 Bleecker Street (between Sullivan and Thompson St.) call (212) 307-4100.
