Days of Wine and Roses (musical)

Days of Wine and Roses is a 2023 stage musical with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and a book by Craig Lucas, adapted from the 1962 film and 1958 teleplay of the same name.

Days of Wine and Roses
The Musical
Broadway Promotional Poster
MusicAdam Guettel
LyricsAdam Guettel
BookCraig Lucas
Basis
Days of Wine and Roses
screenplay
by
PremiereMay 5, 2023: Linda Gross Theater
Productions2023 Off-Broadway
2024 Broadway

The musical premiered Off-Broadway in May 2023 to highly positive reviews, starring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James, with direction by Michael Greif. A Broadway transfer opened in January 2024 with O'Hara, James, and Greif returning.[1]

The plot follows Kirsten Arnesen and Joe Clay, a young couple who marry after he introduces her to social drinking. As years pass, their habit grows, and alcoholism plunges them into trouble and turmoil. Joe eventually gets sober and tries to help Kirsten from her self-destruction.[2]

Origins

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Kelli O'Hara previously worked with Adam Guettel on The Light in the Piazza, during which time they began conceiving a stage musical version of JP Miller's Days of Wine and Roses. The original television and film versions were critically acclaimed at their release for their realistic portrayal of alcohol abuse. Miller had adapted his screenplay previously as a straight play which had been available for licensing for many years.[3] During the COVID-19 pandemic, work on the musical was finished after being developed for over a decade.[4]

The title comes from a poem by the English writer Ernest Dowson (1867–1900):[5]

They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.

Production history

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Off-Broadway (2023)

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The show debuted in New York at Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theater. in 2023, with previews beginning on May 5 and a premiere on June 5. It ran for a limited engagement through July 16.[6] It is directed by Michael Greif with choreography by Sergio Trujillo and Karla Puno Garcia. The production also features scenic design by Lizzie Clachan, costumes by Dede Ayite, lighting by Ben Stanton, sound by Kai Harada, hair & make-up design by David Brian Brown and orchestrations by Guettel and Jamie Lawrence.[7]

On July 25, it was announced that the production had made a cast recording.[8] The cast recording was released digitally on December 15.

Broadway (2024)

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The musical's transfer to Broadway was announced on September 13, 2023. The production began previews on January 6, 2024, with an official opening on January 28. The show was scheduled for a sixteen-week limited run at Studio 54. O'Hara, and James reprised their roles in the Broadway production, as well as the entire original production team.[9] Olivia Hernandez, Byron Jennings, Bill English, David Jennings, and Sharon Catherine Brown reprised their respective roles from Off-Broadway with Tony Carlin and Tabitha Lawing joining the company for the transfer.[10]

Due to low ticket sales and attendance, the production closed 4 weeks early on March 31, 2024.[11]

Musical numbers

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Source:[12]

  • "Magic Time" – Joe
  • "The Story of the Atlantic Cable" – Kirsten
  • "There Go I" – Kirsten
  • "Evanesce" – Joe, Kirsten
  • "Sammen I himmelen" – Kirsten
  • "As the Water Loves the Stone" – Joe, Kirsten
  • "Are You Blue" – Kirsten
  • "Underdeath" – Kirsten
  • "First Breath" – Kirsten, Lila
  • "Evanesce (Reprise)" – Joe, Kirsten
  • "435" – Joe
  • "Morton Salt Girl" – Kirsten
  • "Forgiveness" – Joe
  • "As the Water Loves the Stone (Reprise)" – Kirsten, Joe
  • "Letters" – Kirsten, Lila
  • "Forgiveness (Reprise)" – Kirsten
  • "Sammen I himmelen (Reprise)" – Joe, Lila
  • "There Go I (Reprise)" – Joe, Kirsten

Characters and original casts

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Character Off-Broadway Broadway[10]
2023 2024
Kirsten Arnesen Kelli O'Hara
Joe Clay Brian d'Arcy James
Betty Olivia Hernandez
Rad Leland Ted Koch Tony Carlin
Ellis Arnesen Byron Jennings
Lila Clay Ella Dane Morgan Tabitha Lawing
Mr. Shaw Bill English
Jim Hungerford David Jennings
Mrs. Nolan Sharon Catherine Brown

Notable replacements

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Awards and nominations

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2024 Broadway production

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2024
Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Adam Guettel Nominated [13]
Best Actor in a Musical Brian d'Arcy James Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Kelli O'Hara Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical Brian d'Arcy James Won [14]
Kelli O'Hara Won
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Kelli O’Hara Nominated [15]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Musical Nominated [16]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Brian d’Arcy James Nominated
Kelli O’Hara Won
Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Adam Guettel Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Adam Guettel and Jamie Lawrence Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Michael Greif Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Paulson, Michael (2023-09-13). "'Days of Wine and Roses' Musical to Open on Broadway This Winter". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  2. ^ DPR synopsis accessed April 1, 2024
  3. ^ "Dramatists Play Service, Inc". www.dramatists.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  4. ^ Ryzik, Melena (January 22, 2024). "How 'Days of Wine and Roses' Became Their Passion Project". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Loveridge, Charlotte. Curtain Up, theater review, February 24, 1995.
  6. ^ Hall, Margaret (2023-06-21). "Adam Guettel Releases 6 Demos From Days of Wine and Roses as Production Extends at Atlantic Theatre Company". Playbill. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  7. ^ "Days of Wine and Roses". Atlantic Theater Company. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  8. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES to Release Cast Album Featuring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  9. ^ Cullwell-Block, Logan (September 13, 2023). "Days of Wine and Roses Will Open on Broadway in 2024 With Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James". Playbill. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Days of Wine and Roses".
  11. ^ Cristi, A. A. "DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES To Play Final Broadway Performance This Month". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  12. ^ https://www.playbill.com/production/days-of-wine-and-roses-broadway-studio-54-2024#carousel-cell19504574 [bare URL]
  13. ^ "77th Tony Awards", Wikipedia, 2024-04-30, retrieved 2024-05-01
  14. ^ "2024 Drama Desk Awards". 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  15. ^ "2024 Drama League Awards - The Drama League". dramaleague.org. 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  16. ^ "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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