Death Takes a Holiday: new musical

Roundabout Theatre Company are to present the world premiere of the new musical Death Takes a Holiday, with book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, directed by Doug Hughes. The cast and design team members will be announced shortly.

The musical will open at the Laura Pels Theatre on 14 Jul 2011, following previews from 10 Jun, and run theough to 4 Sep 2011.

Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris.

In Death Takes a Holiday, it's just after the first World War and the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince, and for the first time experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, the mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death.

Directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), this tale of love is adapted by Tony-winning writers Peter Stone (1776) and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray), and features songs by Tony winner Maury Yeston (Nine, Titanic).

Casssella's play has inspired many recreations of his famous story, in radio, television and film. The 1934 film "Death Takes a Holiday" was followed by a 1937 airing on Cecil B. Demille's Lux Radio Theatre, a 1971 television production and the 1998 Hollywood remake titled "Meet Joe Black."

Roundabout is pleased to welcome composer & librettist Maury Yeston back to their stage following their Tony-winning collaboration on the 2003 revival of 'Nine,' starring Antonio Banderas. Roundabout resident Director Doug Hughes most recently staged the Broadway production of 'Mrs. Warren's Profession' starring Cherry Jones & Sally Hawkins.

Bios:

Peter Stone (Book) has won four Tonys and six nominations. Broadway: 'Titanic,' '1776,' 'The Will Rogers Follies' and 'Woman of the Year' all won for best musical. His other Broadway musicals include 'My One and Only,' 'Sugar,' 'Two By Two,' 'Kean' and the Kander & Ebb musical 'Curtains.' He won an Academy Award for his screenplay 'Father Goose.'

Thomas Meehan (Book) won the 2003 Tony Award for co-writing the book for 'Hairspray' after having won the 2001 Tony Award for co-writing the book of 'The Producers.' He received his first Tony Award in 1977 for writing the book of 'Annie,' which was his first Broadway show, and he has since written books for the musicals 'I Remember Mam,' 'Ain't Broadway Grand,' 'Annie Warbucks' and the American version of 'Bombay Dreams.' His most recent works are the Broadway musical 'Young Frankenstein,' for which he co-wrote the book with Mel Brooks, 'Cry-Baby,' co-written with Mark O'Donnell, and 'Elf,' co-written with Bob Martin.

Maury Yeston (Music & Lyrics) in addition to winning his second Tony Award for Best Score for Broadway's 'Titanic' (which won five Tonys including Best Musical), Yeston won a Tony Award for his music and lyrics to Broadway's 'Nine' (based on Fellini's "8 ½"). That production won four additional Tonys, including Best Musical. The Broadway revival of 'Nine,' starring Antonio Banderas, won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Yeston's contribution to the score for Broadway's 'Grand Hotel' was nominated for a Tony, and the Donmar Warehouse London production of this show won the Olivier Award. His score for Phantom has received national and international acclaim and is currently in production across America and Europe and Japan.

Doug Hughes (Director) recent Broadway productions include 'The Royal Family,' 'Elling,' 'Oleanna,' 'A Man for All Seasons,' 'Mauritius,' 'Inherit the Wind,' 'A Touch of the Poet,' 'Frozen' and 'Doubt.' This is Hughes' eigth production with Roundabout Theatre, where he serves as the resident director. For his work on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Doubt' he received the 2005 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play.