Composer

:

Richard Rodgers

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1965

First Performance

:

Mar 18, 1965

Average_duration

:

57:11

"Do I Hear a Waltz?" is a musical with music composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical is based on Laurents' play "The Time of the Cuckoo" and premiered on Broadway on March 18, 1965, at the 46th Street Theatre. The plot of the musical revolves around Leona Samish, a middle-aged American woman who travels to Venice, Italy, for a vacation. While there, she meets a charming Italian shopkeeper named Renato Di Rossi, and the two begin a romantic relationship. However, Leona soon realizes that Renato is not as committed to their relationship as she is, and she must decide whether to stay in Venice or return home to her mundane life. The musical features several memorable songs, including "Do I Hear a Waltz?", "Here We Are Again", and "Take the Moment". The music is characterized by Rodgers' signature lush melodies and Sondheim's clever lyrics. Despite the talent involved in the production, "Do I Hear a Waltz?" received mixed reviews from critics and struggled at the box office. The musical closed after only 220 performances, making it one of Rodgers' least successful shows. However, the musical has since gained a cult following and has been revived several times, including a 2000 production at the Pasadena Playhouse and a 2016 production at New York City Center. The show's enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless themes of love, loss, and self-discovery that it explores.

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