Synopsis
Pacific Overtures
$15.99
Stephen Sondheim & John Weidman
Published by Theatre Communications
Borrowing liberally from the techniques of Kabuki Theatre, Sondheim's musical explores the state of Japan before and after this enforced 'opening up' by the West
First staged by Hal Prince in New York in 1976 to diametrically divergent reviews, Pacific Overtures was revised and revived in 1984 - to a much warmer reception
It has only been seen once in London: the English National Opera at the Coliseum in 1987. The Donmar production reversed the show's 'difficult' reputation, just as they triumphantly redeemed Sondheim's chief flop, Merrily We Roll Along
'It breaks new ground in the theatre and leaves the audience shaken and breathless with excitement and beauty ... It is different, courageous, gorgeous and jolting' ~ Daily News