Developed out of a play by librettist John Weidman about the opening of Japan by Admiral Perry in 1853, it has a highly unusual subject matter for a Broadway show. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1976 Vinyl release of "Pacific Overtures" on Discogs. The original Broadway production was filmed and broadcast on Japanese television in 1976. Set in 1853 Japan, Pacific Overtures follows the Westernization of Japan, mainly through the story of Kayama, a samurai, and Manjiro, a fisherman. To the consternation of Lord Abe and the Shogun's other Councillors, the stirrings of trouble begin with the appearance of Manjiro, a fisherman who had been lost at sea and rescued by Americans. But that was long ago..." he says, "Welcome to Japan.". Both productions featured Mitch Sebastian in the role of Commodore Perry. This production was directed by current Artistic Director John Doyle and starred George Takei as the Reciter. Kayama has saved Japan, but it is too late to save Tamate: when Kayama arrives at his home, he finds that she is dead, having committed seppuku after having received no news of Kayama for many days. 1. The show is set in Japan beginning in 1853 and follows the difficult westernization of Japan, told from the point of view of the Japanese. As he leaves, she expresses her feelings in dance as two Observers describe the scene and sing her thoughts and words ("There Is No Other Way"). Of the cast, Brantley wrote, "Even as they sing sweetly and smile engagingly, they appear to be asking themselves, "What am I doing here? I do not own Pacific Overtures. The production ran at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center from July 9, 2002 through July 13, and then at the Eisenhower Theater, Kennedy Center, from September 3, 2002, through September 8. In the ensuing turmoil, the puppet Emperor seizes real power and vows that Japan will modernize itself. Already events are moving beyond the control of the old order: the two men pass a Madam instructing her inexperienced Oiran girls in the art of seduction as they prepare for the arrival of the foreign devils ("Welcome to Kanagawa"). As the country moves from one innovation to the "Next! Kayama is sent to meet with the Americans but he is laughed at and rejected as not being important enough. 4:15 PM PDT 5/4/2017 by THR Staff FACEBOOK; TWITTER; EMAIL ME; Courtesy of Joan Marcus. Exasperated by his indecision and procrastination, his Mother, with elaborate courtesy, poisons him. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies do not store any personal information. It also received numerous nominations from the Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel Awards. The show's sets, costumes and governing concept remain more or less the same. And the music and lyrics are as pretty and as well-formed as a bonsai tree. Listen to Pretty Lady (from "Pacific Overtures") from Original Broadway Cast Recording's Sondheim Pacific Overtures for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. "[12], In 2017, Classic Stage Company revived Pacific Overtures for a limited run Off-Broadway, with a new abridged book by John Weidman[13] and new orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. It was his fourth collaboration with Hal Prince as director and producer. ""[23], Artwork for the original Broadway cast recording, 2017 Off-Broadway revival cast — characters. It began previews on April 6, 2017 and opened on May 4, 2017. The show is set in Japan beginning in 1853 and follows the difficult westernization of Japan, told from the point of view of the Japanese. Stephen Sondheim ‎– Pacific Overtures Label: RCA Red Seal ‎– ARL1-1367 STEREO Format: Vinyl, LP Country: US Released: 1976 Genre: Stage & Screen. In Pacific Overtures the Reciter fulfills the part of narrator-singer; he begins the opening number, introduces characters, interrupts with explanations and sayings of wisdom, and punctuates the drama with intonations of exclamation, doubt, surprise, and grief. Pacific Overtures is the story of Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1853, a display of force intended to persuade Japan to begin trading with the West after 250 years of isolation, as told from the Japanese point of view. Mako plays the Reciter.. Conceived as a Japanese playwright's version of an American musical about American influences on Japan, Pacific Overtures opens in July 1853. A masterwork in miniature. Recent Broadway cast recordings from PS Classics include Xanadu, The Frogs, the revivals of 110 in the Shade, Pacific Overtures, Fiddler On The Roof, and Nine, as well as the premiere recordings of Grey Gardens, A Year with Frog and Toad, My Life With Albertine, Zanna, Don't!, Through the Years, Striking 12, Only Heaven and First Lady Suite. Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole's Platinum selling hit "Over the Rainbow" OFFICIAL video. Pacific Overtures is not one of Stephen Sondheim's best, and it's easy to see why critics were divided by it and it doesn't have the best of stories in the world. Style: Musical. [19] “Pretty Lady” is a contrapuntal trio of three British sailors who have mistaken a young girl for a geisha and are attempting to woo her. Find the latest tracks, albums, and images from Pacific Overtures. The music contrasts Japanese contemplation ("There is No Other Way") with Western ingenuousness ("Please Hello") while over the course of the 127 years, Western harmonies, tonality and even lyrics are infused into the score. Citron, Stephen. The negotiations themselves are observed through the memories of three who were there: a warrior hidden beneath the floor of the Treaty House who could hear the debates, a young boy who could see the action from his perch in the tree outside, and the boy as an old man recalling that without "Someone In a Tree", a silent watcher, history is incomplete. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Kayama devises a plan by which the Americans can be received without technically setting foot on Japanese soil, thanks to a covering of tatami mats and a raised Treaty House, for which he is made Governor of Uraga. He did not use the pentatonic scale; the 4th degree of the major scale is represented from the opening number through the finale, as Sondheim found just five pitches too limiting. "[22], The 2004 production was not as well received. Unlike in the Kabuki he also steps into certain roles when needed. Oxford University Press US. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A new Broadway recording, with new (reduced) orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick was released by PS Classics, with additional material not included on the original cast album. Since the foreigners were expelled from the island empire, explains the Reciter, elsewhere wars are fought and machines are rumbling, but in Nippon they plant rice, exchange bows and enjoy peace and serenity, and there has been nothing to threaten the changeless cycle of their days ("The Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the Sea"). 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