Coming off one of the most popular seasons in its 18-year history, Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre is now embarking on its next season, including revivals of two musical chestnuts, a Tony-winning comedy, a Dickens adaptation that isn't Christmas Carol, and, perhaps most intriguingly, a world premiere musical.
While the 2000-01 "Season of Classics" actively courted the nostalgia vote with revivals of Gaslight, The Sunshine Boys, A Chorus Line and Singin' in the Rain (the most-attended show in Walnut history, according to the theatre's press office), the 2001-02 mainstage roster mixes old and new and opens with the new tuner, by Lori McKelvey. Camila, running Sept. 4-Oct. 21 (opening Sept. 12), is based on the true story of Camila O'Gorman, an aristocrat who falls in love with a Jesuit priest. "Fiery tango music" is promised for this show, set in 19th-century Argentina.
B.T. McNicholl will direct, Albin Konopka will serve as musical director. Richard Stafford will choreograph. Designing the show are Bells Are Ringing's Ricardo Hernandez (set), Suzy Benzinger (costumes), Brian Nason (lighting) and Scott Smith (sound). Michael Hayden (Far East, Judgment at Nuremberg) will play the priest opposite his real-life wife, Elizabeth Sastre, in the title role. Co-starring are Jane Summerhays, Alma Cuervo, David Brummel, Laurie Ferdman, Kevin Duda, William Parry, Bruce Winant, Sylvia Roldan Dohi, Renee Bonadio, Rose Collantes, Angela DeCicco, Enrique Cruz DeJesus, Angel Garcia, Michael Licata, Mary Martello, Wilson Mendieta, Michael Oberlander, Spencer Rowe, Ellen Sowney, Jason Adamo, Maria Feely, Francisco Forguera, Dean Malissa and Rebecca Schall.
Designing the production are Ricardo Hernandez (set), Suzy Benzinger (costumes), Brian Nason (lighting) and Scott Smith (sound). Bob Elhi will provide the orchestrations for musical director Albin Konopka.
As if hedging their bets at the risk of starting the season with an unknown quantity, Walnut will follow Camila with one of the most beloved musicals of all time, My Fair Lady, running Nov. 6-Jan. 6, 2002. Alan Jay Lerner (librettist-lyricist) and Frederick Loewe (composer) adapted George Bernard Shaw's comedy Pygmalion for this look at a rich linguist and his efforts to turn a destitute cockney flowergirl into a high-society lady. Songs in the show include "The Rain in Spain," "On the Street Where You Live" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." Directed by Charles Abbott. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum's Jessica Boevers will be Eliza; James Brennan will play Higgins.
Following Fair Lady will be the fair-weather friends of Art, Yasmina Reza's worldwide hit about buddies whose decades-old friendship is nearly destroyed when one buys an all-white canvas for a stunning amount of money. Reza's The Unexpected Man has proved a hit at Off-Broadway's Promenade Theatre this season. Art, staged by Bernard Havard, plays January 15-March 3, 2002, its first gig in Philly. Robert Ari (Bells Are Ringing), Mark Capri and Ben Lipitz play the three pals.
March 12-April 28, 2002 brings Mark Clements' adaptation of Great Expectations to the Walnut. Based on one of Dickens' best-known novels, Expectations, also directed by the UK-based Clements, tells of orphaned Pip and his difficulties with love and old ladies.
Closing the Walnut season (May 14-July 7, 2002) is the baseball-based tuner Damn Yankees, about a middle-aged man who gets his wish to be young again and play major-league ball. He helps the hapless Washington Senators rise in the standings and make it all the way to the World Series — against the dreaded Bronx Bombers. The price of success? Just his soul. Richard Adler and Jerry Ross combined on the score for Damn Yankees, with George Abbott and Douglass Wallop collaborating on the book. Songs include the harmony-filled "Heart," "Whatever Lola Wants" and the devil-may-care "The Good Old Days," sung by the show's devil, Jamie Torcellini.
For tickets and information on the Walnut Street Theatre's 2001-02 season call (215) 925-6885 or check out their website at www.wstonline.org.
Founded in 1809, the Walnut Street Theatre is the oldest still-in operation playhouse in America. The Walnut was a Shubert tour and pre Broadway venue from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1963, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark. In 1983, the not-for-profit Walnut Street Theatre Company was formed by current artistic director Bernard Havard. Future plans include constructing a flexible 350-seat space.
— By David Lefkowitz
