Self-described by composer Stephen Sondheim as “the most bizarre and unusual musical ever to be seen in a commercial setting,” Pacific Overtures is a concept musical set around Commodore Perry’s first visit to Japan in 1853.
Pacific Overtures
Where to watch: YouTube
Stage Production Notes
Based on John Weidman’s play of the same name, Pacific Overtures shows life in Japan from centuries of isolation to contemporary prominence in the world through Kabuki-style theatre.
Featuring a cast of predominantly Japanese characters, the casting team initially had trouble filling the roles. Nineteen actors of various backgrounds, including “American-born, or naturalized Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiins, Filipinos, Burmese and Koreans” played 61 roles in the production.
Following 8 weeks of out-of-town tryouts, Pacific Overtures opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 11, 1976.
The reviews were mixed. New York Times critic Walter Kerr, while noting that some elements were “amusing,” described Pacific Overtures as “essentially dull and immobile.” Meanwhile, Clive Barnes, also of the New York Times, stated “It is a very serious, almost inordinately ambitious musical, and as such is deserving of equally serious attention.” After giving the musical much praise, Barnes summarized that Pacific Overtures “is very, very different.”
The original Broadway production was nominated for 7 Drama Desk Awards and 10 Tony Awards, picking up awards for costume and set design. It also won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.
After 13 previews and 193 regular performances, Pacific Overtures closed on Broadway on June 27, 1976.
Pacific Overtures was twice revived off Broadway throughout the 1980s.
In 2003, the Japanese New National Theatre company presented a Japanese-language production at the Lincoln Center Festival.
Pacific Overtures played in the West End at the Donmar Warehouse from June 20 to September 6, 2003. The production was a transfer of the well-received 2001 Chicago Shakespeare Theatre production. The Donmar production was nominated for 7 Olivier Awards.
A Broadway revival opened at Studio 54 on December 2, 2004. Starring BD Wong, Evan D’Angeles, Joseph Anthony Fronoda, and Yoko Fumoto, the revival played for 69 performances before closing on January 30, 2005. It was nominated for 5 Tony Awards.
Although several historians note that Pacific Overtures contains some of Sondheim’s best work, the musical has never been commercially produced with financial success.
Pacific Overtures is available to license through Music Theatre International.
Based on John Weidman’s play of the same name, Pacific Overtures shows life in Japan from centuries of isolation to contemporary prominence in the world through Kabuki-style theatre.
Featuring a cast of predominantly Japanese characters, the casting team initially had trouble filling the roles. Nineteen actors of various backgrounds, including “American-born, or naturalized Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiins, Filipinos, Burmese and Koreans” played 61 roles in the production.
Following 8 weeks of out-of-town tryouts, Pacific Overtures opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 11, 1976.
The reviews were mixed. New York Times critic Walter Kerr, while noting that some elements were “amusing,” described Pacific Overtures as “essentially dull and immobile.” Meanwhile, Clive Barnes, also of the New York Times, stated “It is a very serious, almost inordinately ambitious musical, and as such is deserving of equally serious attention.” After giving the musical much praise, Barnes summarized that Pacific Overtures “is very, very different.”
The original Broadway production was nominated for 7 Drama Desk Awards and 10 Tony Awards, picking up awards for costume and set design. It also won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.
After 13 previews and 193 regular performances, Pacific Overtures closed on Broadway on June 27, 1976.
Pacific Overtures was twice revived off Broadway throughout the 1980s.
In 2003, the Japanese New National Theatre company presented a Japanese-language production at the Lincoln Center Festival.
Pacific Overtures played in the West End at the Donmar Warehouse from June 20 to September 6, 2003. The production was a transfer of the well-received 2001 Chicago Shakespeare Theatre production. The Donmar production was nominated for 7 Olivier Awards.
A Broadway revival opened at Studio 54 on December 2, 2004. Starring BD Wong, Evan D’Angeles, Joseph Anthony Fronoda, and Yoko Fumoto, the revival played for 69 performances before closing on January 30, 2005. It was nominated for 5 Tony Awards.
Although several historians note that Pacific Overtures contains some of Sondheim’s best work, the musical has never been commercially produced with financial success.
Pacific Overtures is available to license through Music Theatre International.
Filmed Production Notes
On June 9, 1976, the matinee and evening performances of Pacific Overtures were filmed live at the Winter Garden Theatre by Herman Rush Productions.
Pacific Overtures was broadcast on Japanese television, making it the first Broadway musical to do so. The telecast was sponsored by Hal Prince and McCann EricksonHakuhodo. The Will Rogers Follies (1991), and Victor Victoria (1995) were also taped for distribution on Japanese television.
Pacific Overtures has not been officially released for home viewing, though it is available on YouTube.
On June 9, 1976, the matinee and evening performances of Pacific Overtures were filmed live at the Winter Garden Theatre by Herman Rush Productions.
Pacific Overtures was broadcast on Japanese television, making it the first Broadway musical to do so. The telecast was sponsored by Hal Prince and McCann EricksonHakuhodo. The Will Rogers Follies (1991), and Victor Victoria (1995) were also taped for distribution on Japanese television.
Pacific Overtures has not been officially released for home viewing, though it is available on YouTube.
Take a listen to episode 37 of the Filmed Live Musicals podcast to go deep into the musical's background with theatre historian Margaret Hall.
Pacific Overtures PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Winter Garden Theatre, New York
Producer: Harold Prince, Ruth Mitchell
Book: John Weidman
Additional Material: Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Harold Prince, Film: Marty Pasetta
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Dance arrangements: Daniel Troob
Choreography: Patricia Birch
Scenic Design: Boris Aronson
Costume Design: Florence Klotz
Lighting Design: Tharon Musser
Sound Design: Jack Mann
Wigs and Make-Up Design: Richard Allen
Production Stage Manager: George Martin,
Stage Manager: John Grigas
Cast:
Mako, Soon-Teck Oh, Yuki Shimoda, Sab Shimono, Isao Sato, Alvin Ing, Ernest Harada, James Dybas, Mark Hsu Syers, Patrick Kinser-Lau, Ernest Abuba, Larry Hama, Jae Woo Lee, Freddy Mao, Tom Matsusaka, Conrad Yama, Kenneth S. Giland, Timm Fujii, Haruki Fujimoto, Joey Ginza, Susan Kikuchi, Diane Lam, Richard Magpiong, Tony Marinyo, Kevin Maung, Kim Miyori, Dingo Secretario, Freda, Foh Shen, Ricardo Tobia, Gedde Watanabe
Theatre: Winter Garden Theatre, New York
Producer: Harold Prince, Ruth Mitchell
Book: John Weidman
Additional Material: Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Harold Prince, Film: Marty Pasetta
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Dance arrangements: Daniel Troob
Choreography: Patricia Birch
Scenic Design: Boris Aronson
Costume Design: Florence Klotz
Lighting Design: Tharon Musser
Sound Design: Jack Mann
Wigs and Make-Up Design: Richard Allen
Production Stage Manager: George Martin,
Stage Manager: John Grigas
Cast:
Mako, Soon-Teck Oh, Yuki Shimoda, Sab Shimono, Isao Sato, Alvin Ing, Ernest Harada, James Dybas, Mark Hsu Syers, Patrick Kinser-Lau, Ernest Abuba, Larry Hama, Jae Woo Lee, Freddy Mao, Tom Matsusaka, Conrad Yama, Kenneth S. Giland, Timm Fujii, Haruki Fujimoto, Joey Ginza, Susan Kikuchi, Diane Lam, Richard Magpiong, Tony Marinyo, Kevin Maung, Kim Miyori, Dingo Secretario, Freda, Foh Shen, Ricardo Tobia, Gedde Watanabe
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2015)
- Dan Dietz, Off Broadway Musicals, 1910—2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows, McFarland (2012)
Articles
- Clive Barnes, Van Williams, “Theatrer: ‘Pacific Overtures,’ Musical About Japan,” New York Times (Jan 12, 1976), p.34
- Edward Hausner, “‘Overtures’ Opens Doors for Orientals,” New York Times (March 2, 1976), p. 24
- Clive Hirschhorn, “Will Sondheim Succeed In Being Genuinely Japanese?” New York Times (Jan 4, 1976) p.1
- Laurie Johnston, “Notes on People,” New York Times (Jan 1, 1976), p.18
- Walter Kerr, “‘Pacific Overtures’ Is Neither East Nor West,” New York Times (Jan 18, 1976), p.1
- Uncredited, “Nonprofit Stage Groups Of U.S. to Meet at Yale,” New York Times (June 12, 1976), p.12
Websites
- Music Theatre International, “Pacific Overtures: Original Broadway Version (1976),” Accessed via: https://www.mtishows.com/pacific-overtures
- Playbill, “Pacific Overtures,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/pacific-overtures-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011540
- Playbill, “Pacific Overtures,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/pacific-overtures-studio-54-vault-0000004926
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2017)