Le monde des musicals

In Northern Italy, shortly after World War One, Death disguises himself as a handsome young prince to try to understand why life is so precious and death so feared. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, this mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death.

Death Takes a Holiday premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre on June 10, 2011 (in previews) and officially on July 14, for a limited run through September 4, 2011 in a production by Roundabout Theatre Company. The musical was directed by Doug Hughes, with choreography by Peter Pucci, set design by Derek McLane, and costumes by Catherine Zuber. The cast included Linda Balgord (Contessa Danielli), Matt Cavenaugh (Major Fenton), Mara Davi (Alice), Kevin Earley (Death/Sirki), Simon Jones, Rebecca Luker (Duchess Stephanie), Jill Paice (Grazia), Michael Siberry (Duke Vittorio Lamberti), Alexandra Socha, Don Stephenson, Joy Hermalyn and Max von Essen (Corrado Montelli). Jim Walton was an understudy.

The show received mixed reviews. The New York Times called it a "gorgeously sung but fusty musical". Similarly, Steven Suskin, in reviewing the original cast album, wrote that "Maury Yeston has given us a liltingly romantic and lovely operetta-like score. ... Book and score do not complement each other, at least not as presented at the Pels. ... The entire show – not only on the CD but in the theatre – was lifted by the presence of a fine group of singing actors." Time magazine, on the other hand, ranked the show among the best of the year and commented on the brief run: "Death deserved to live on." The show received eleven nominations for 2011–12 Drama Desk Awards, although it did not win any.

The production garnered unexpected publicity when its original leading man, British actor Julian Ovenden, left the show due to vocal trouble and was replaced by his understudy, Kevin Earley.

Ovenden's performance had been well-reviewed, but Earley also garnered acclaim in the role.[citation needed] The original cast recording was released in October 2011, by PS Classics, with Earley in the role of Death.

Act I
"In the Middle of Your Life" – Lamberti family
"Nothing Happened" – Lamberti family
"How Will I Know?" – Grazia
"Centuries" – Death
"Why Do All Men?" – Death and Vittorio
"Death is in the House" – Fidele and Vittorio
"Alive!" – Sirki, Fidele and Sophia
"Life's a Joy" – Dr. Albione, Grazia, Sirki and Company
"Who is This Man?" – Grazia
"Life's a Joy" (Reprise) – Cora, Sophia, Lorenzo and Fidele
"Shimmy Like They Do In Paree" – Alice and Sirki
"Roberto's Eyes" – Major Fenton
"Alone Here With You" – Grazia and Sirki

Act II
"Something Happened" – Company
"Losing Roberto" – Stephanie
"What Do You Do" – Daisy and Sirki
"More and More" – Sirki and Grazia
"Finally to Know" – Grazia, Daisy and Alice
"I Thought That I Could Live" – Death
"December Time" – Contessa Danielli and Dr. Albione
"Pavane" – Stephanie, Vittorio and Company
Finale – Grazia and Death

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