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.
