Do I Hear a Waltz?

Do I Hear a Waltz?
Original Boadway Cast Album
Music	Richard Rodgers
Lyrics	Stephen Sondheim
Book	Arthur Laurents
Basis	The Time of the Cuckoo
Productions	1965 Broadway

Do I Hear A Waltz? is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Richard Rodgers, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was adapted from Laurents' 1952 play The Time of the Cuckoo, which was the basis for the 1955 film Summertime starring Katharine Hepburn.

Background

Laurents originally conceived the production as a small chamber musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, and Mary Martin in the lead role of spinster Leona Samish. ^[1] By the time the project began to gel, however, Hammerstein had died, and Stephen Sondheim was asked to write the lyrics by Laurents and Richard Rodgers' daughter Mary. Although he felt the original play did not lend itself to musicalization, Sondheim agreed. ^[2] Rodgers, who was producing the Broadway production, rejected Martin as too old for Leona.

Franco Zeffirelli was first choice for director, and he met with Laurents, Sondheim, and Rodgers, who fell asleep during their discussion. Laurents suspected Rodgers had been drinking, and when he discovered a bottle of vodka secreted in the toilet tank during a later visit to the Rodgers apartment, he realized he had been correct. The composer's chronic drinking proved to be a major problem throughout the rehearsal period and pre-Broadway run at the Colonial Theatre in Boston and the Shubert Theatre in New Haven. ^[3]

Laurents suggested John Dexter direct the show, but later regretted the choice. Dexter insisted on casting as Leona Elizabeth Allen, who Laurents felt could manage the acting and singing but had a cold personality too contrary to that of the character. Rodgers' mistreatment of Sondheim left the composer feeling apathetic if not outright sour about the project, but he maintained his professionalism. The first run-through was disastrous, and Dexter immediately lost interest, leaving most of the work to his assistant-cum-choreographer Wakefield Poole. Herbert Ross was called in to work on the dance routines and brought with him his wife Nora Kaye, who served as a mediator among the warring factions. She was faced with an arduous task, given Rodgers openly dismissed Sondheim's lyrics as "shit" and eventually banned Laurents from rehearsals completely. ^[4]

Productions

The musical opened on March 18, 1965 at the 46th Street Theatre and ran for 220 performances. In addition to Elizabeth Allen, the cast included Sergio Franchi, Carol Bruce, Madeleine Sherwood, Julienne Marie, Stuart Damon, Fleury D'Antonakis, and Jack Manning. It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design, but lost in all three categories.

The original production received mixed reviews. Howard Taubman of the New York Times observed, "The authors . . . have accomplished their conversion from the play with tact and grace. They have not attempted a complete transformation. On the other hand, they have not cheapened or falsified the play . . . They were wise not to overload the musical with production numbers; their taste was unexceptionable when they chose not to turn their work into a brash, noisy affair, which would have been out of keeping with their theme. At the same time one cannot suppress a regret that they failed to be bolder. For there are times, particularly in the early stages, when the songs are merely a decoration. They give the impression that they are there because a musical requires music. They do not translate the story into the fresh and marvelous language that the rich resources of the musical stage make possible." ^[5] The production did not recoup its investment, but several songs, including the title tune, received radio play. Laurents rued the casting - he felt Allen was too young and colorless and Franchi couldn't act - and ignoring all the ongoing problems in favor of making his dream a reality, but most of all he regretted the break in his friendship with Sondheim after the show. ^[6]

An original cast recording was released by Columbia Records. A remastered version was released on compact disc and cassette tape by Sony Broadway in 1992.

In 1997, Sondheim was sent a recording of a concert version of the show that had been presented in London. It was then he realized the original play did lend itself to musical adaptation, but the score Rodgers composed wasn't very good. He enthusiastically contacted Laurents and the two discussed changes that could be made to improve the show.^[7]

A revised production was staged at the George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, New Jersey from October 13, 1999 through November 14, 1999. For that production, the dropped song Everybody Loves Leona was restored, lyrics were altered or added, and Laurents "revamped quite a bit of the book."^[8][9]

A 2001 revival of the musical was staged at the Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, California, where it ran from July 15 through August 19. The cast included Alyson Reed as Leona, Anthony Crivello as Renato, and Carol Lawrence as Fioria. The production, which was well-received by the critics, was subsequently released on the Fynsworth Alley label.^[10]

Synopsis

New York City secretary Leona Samish arrives in Venice, where she is staying at the Pensione Fioria. There she meets Americans Eddie and Jennifer Yeager, who are living in Rome and have come to Venice for a vacation, and the McIlhennys, an older couple on a package tour.

While shopping, Leona sees a ruby glass goblet in a store window and goes inside to inspect it. The owner, Renato di Rossi, tells her it is an authentic 18th century piece, not a reproduction. He offers not only to find her a matching glass to make up a pair, but to show her the sights of the city, as well. Leona refuses his offer and leaves, but returns the next day to buy the goblet. Later that day, a package with a second goblet is delivered to the hotel. Soon after, Renato arrives to invite Leona to join him for coffee in Piazza San Marco that evening. When the McIlhennys show her their purchase of a set of glasses exactly like hers, Leona believes Renato misrepresented their value, but Signora Fioria assures her they are antiques.

Later in the day, a young boy comes to tell Leona Renato will be late for their meeting because one of his children is ill and needs to see a doctor. Realizing Renato is married, she cancels their rendezvous. He comes to the pensione and explains he and his wife have not loved each other for years but divorce is not an option, not only because the country doesn't permit it, but because they have their children to consider, as well. To Leona, his casual attitude about extramarital affairs is wrong, but she still finds herself attracted to him, and agrees to keep their date.

Meanwhile, the Yeagers are facing problems of their own. Eddie, finding himself enamoured with Signora Fioria, announces he wants to put distance between himself and the woman by returning to the United States.

Renato arrives with a garnet necklace for Leona, who is thrilled with his gift and agrees to extend her stay in Venice. She hosts a party in the garden of the pensione, and Renato's son comes to tell his father the jeweler wants his money, which Leona happily gives him. However, when she discovers Renato has received a commission on the sale of the necklace, she accuses him of being interested only in her money, and he leaves.

Fioria and Jennifer attempt to comfort Leona, who drunkenly reveals Eddie and Fioria spent the previous evening together, only to immediately regret her words. The following day both the Yeagers and the McIlhennys check out of the pensione. On hearing Renato had been there before she awoke, Leona goes to his store to make amends, but he tells her a relationship with her would be impossible because of her complicated outlook on life. His affection for her is gone, and they part as friends.

Original Broadway cast

• Elizabeth Allen ..... Leona Samish
• Sergio Franchi ..... Renato Di Rossi
• Carol Bruce ..... Signora Fiora
• Stuart Damon ..... Eddie Yaeger
• Julienne Marie ..... Jennifer Yaeger
• Jack Manning ..... Mr. McIlhenny
• Madeleine Sherwood ..... Mrs. McIlhenny
• Fleury D'Antonakis ..... Giovanna
• James Dybas ..... Vito
• Christopher Votos ..... Mauro

Song list

Deleted songs

• Perhaps
• Two by Two
• Philadelphia
• Everybody Loves Leona

References

External links

• Do I Hear a Waltz? at the Internet Broadway Database
• Do I Hear a Waltz at the Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide
• Background information and production details at R&H theatricals
• Detailed plot synopsis, guidetomusicaltheatre.com