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Regional Reviews: San Francisco A Charming Production of Do I Hear a Waltz? Also see Jeanie's review of The Rainmaker and Richard's review of Ideation
Richard Rodgers, who was often "alcohol-hazed," earned the nickname "Godzilla" during the making of this bittersweet musical that was based on the Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi movie Summertime and the earlier Arthur Laurents play The Time of the Cuckoo. Rodgers took issue with some of Sondheim's lyrics and both Sondheim and Laurents felt Rodgers was a theatrical dinosaur past his prime. Sondheim was reluctant to get involved in the first place and never again wrote a lyric-only show. The out of town tryouts wasn't happy for anyone. Richard Rodgers, as producer of the Broadway production, ordered the show to close on September 20, 1965. Greg MacKellan's production is both witty and charming, and a delightful surprise with Tony-nominated Emily Skinner playing the Hepburn role. The score is luscious and memorable, especially in the second act. Do I Hear a Waltz? is not overloaded with big production numbers as were the other musicals in the middle '60s. Richard Rodgers could never write a dull melody, but most of the better songs are in the second act, including his romantic best, "Moon in My Window," beautifully sung by Emily Skinner, Stephanie Rhoads and Abby Sammons, and the delightful upbeat "We're Gonna Be All Right" with clever lyrics by Sondheim brightly sung by David Naughton and Abby Sammons. This is followed by the awe-inspiring title song stunningly presented by Emily Skinner. Set in Italy, the plot is about Leona Samish (Skinner) traveling on her own, tempted by a less than perfect romance with Renato (Tyler McKenna), a married Italian man. She longs to hear the waltz, a representation for falling in love. The rigidities between the America way of life and the Italian form the cross-cultural theme. This production has strong performances and is unfalteringly directed by Greg MacKellan. Emily Skinner is magnificent in the role of the Leona Samish. She has a bright and solid but expansive voice singing these Rodgers-Sondheim songs. She nicely catches the edgy desperation of the usually solitary character. Tyler McKenna plays her less than perfect lover Renato De Rossi (he bluntly announces to Leona that he's "not perfection, nor are you"). McKenna has a powerful voice, especially when singing "Someone Like You" and "Take the Moment." He expresses the distinctive decency of her curio-peddling lover. Stephanie Rhoads gives an engaging performance as the effervescent hotelier Signora Fioria. David Naughton, as the young American guest, and Abby Sammons with mellifluous voices and great dancing moves, especially in "We're Gonna Be All Right," are exhilarating. The older American tourist couple the McIlhennys are performed by Lucinda Hitchcock Cone and Michael Rhone. Both are splendid as typical American tourists. Rounding out the cast are Taylor Bartolucci as Giovanna, Jonah Broscow as the young boy Mauro, and Nikita Burshsteyn as Vito. All give great performances in their small roles. David Dobrusky on piano plays the lovely Rodgers melodies perfectly. Brittany Danielle's choreography is pleasing, especially the brisk, capering number "Perfectly Lovely Couple" for the cheerful drunken party at the pensione. Do I Hear a Waltz? plays through October 19, 2014, at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco. For tickets call 415-255-8207 or visit www.42ndstmoon.org. Coming up next will be the musical satire The Boy Friend opening on October 29 and running through November 16.
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