The life-loving friends, family and lovers of the Roundabout Theatre Company's Laura Pels Theatre include British actor Julian Ovenden as Death, in a handsome disguise, plus Broadway's Jill Paice as his object of desire, with Max von Essen, Matt Cavenaugh, Simon Jones, Linda Balgord, Rebecca Luker, Michael Siberry and more.
The romantic Italian-set musical is based on the Alberto Casella play of the same name. According to Roundabout, "In Death Takes a Holiday, it's just after the first World War and the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince (played by Ovenden), and for the first time experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman (played by Jill Paice), the mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death."
Here is a first look at the show:
The project began as a collaboration between librettist Peter Stone (1776) and composer-lyricist Yeston, but following Stone's 2003 death, Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) joined the project as librettist. Stone and Meehan share book credit on the show.
Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt, Roundabout's Broadway production of Mrs. Warren's Profession starring Cherry Jones) directs. Opening night is July 21.
The cast also features Linda Balgord (Contessa Danielli), Matt Cavenaugh (Eric Fenton), Mara Davi (Alice), Joy Hermalyn (Cora), Jay Jaski (Lorenzo), Simon Jones (Dr. Dario Albione), Rebecca Luker (Duchess Lamberti), Patricia Noonan (Sophia), Julian Ovenden (Prince Sirki / Death), Jill Paice (Grazia), Michael Siberry (Duke Lamberti), Alexandra Socha (Daisy Fenton), Don Stephenson (Fidele), Max Von Essen (Corrado Montelli).
Tickets ($76-$86) are on sale now at Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre box office (111 West 46 Street).
