The Visit (musical)

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The Visit is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander.

Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 satirical play about greed and revenge, it focuses on one of the world's wealthiest women, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her financially depressed hometown and offers its residents a new lease on life in exchange for the murder of Anton Schell, the man who scorned her years ago.

The musical adaptation of the darkly comic play, originally developed as a vehicle for Angela Lansbury, was scheduled for a Broadway opening when the leading lady withdrew due to the illness and subsequent death of her husband. Chita Rivera was signed as her replacement, but the project ultimately was aborted.

In the autumn of 2001, The Visit, directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Ann Reinking, was staged with Rivera and John McMartin by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Reviews were mixed, not encouraging enough to propel the show to New York City without substantial revisions. Regional theatre productions were considered as an alternative as McNally rewrote the book. Then, in late 2003, The Public Theater announced it was mounting an off-Broadway production with Rivera and Frank Langella early the following year, but that too was cancelled when financing fell through.

Signature Theatre in the suburban Washington, D.C. area has announced The Visit will be the first offering of its 2007-08 season. It is scheduled to run from September 4, - October 14, 2007, with Rivera once again in the lead [1].

Kander and Ebb musicals
Flora the Red Menace • Cabaret • The Happy Time • Zorba • 70, Girls, 70 • Chicago • The Act • Woman of the Year • The Rink • And The World Goes 'Round • Kiss of the Spider Woman • Steel Pier • All About Us • The Visit • Curtains