Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James star in a searing new musical about a couple falling in love in 1950s New York and struggling against themselves to build their family. The New York Times calls Days of Wine and Roses “a jazzy, aching new musical with wells of compassion!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post raves, “Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James soar! One of the best new musicals this year.”
Adapted from JP Miller’s 1962 film and original 1958 teleplay, composer & lyricist Adam Guettel (Floyd Collins) and playwright Craig Lucas (An American in Paris) reunite in their first collaboration since their acclaimed The Light in the Piazza. Directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen).
Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel, whose book and music for The Light in the Piazza lavishly replicated the dizziness of young love 20 years ago, turn their top-shelf craft toward bleaker outlooks in their adaptation of Days of Wine and Roses. Transferring to Broadway after a well-received premiere at the Atlantic last summer, Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James give astonishing voice to two lovers drowning in alcoholism. The subject matter is almost corrosively downbeat but, with its two leads at the top of their game, the one-act musical becomes a cathartic, deeply felt tonic.
Understanding the roots of dependency starts by acknowledging that people do drugs – drink booze, take opiates, smoke, shoot up – because it feels better doing them than not doing them. So it is for Joe and Kirsten Clay, and by not shying away from the good vibrations that controlled substances promise, this new Days of Wine and Roses is a small step in the right direction toward making a difference in America’s current addiction crisis. Which is not to say that very many opioid addicts are likely to find their way to a Lucas/Guettel musical; but those who make public policy, or who simply look down their noses at “those people in the red states,” very well may. Developing sympathy for, and taking steps to help, the growing numbers of those struggling with and dying of addiction begins by recognizing that some of “those people” are no further away than the house or apartment next door.
Digital Rush
Price: $49
Where: on the TodayTix app.
When: 9am on the day of the performance
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Subject to availability.
2023 | Off-Broadway |
Atlantic Theater Company Off-Broadway Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
2024 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Brian d’Arcy James |
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Kelli O’Hara |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Kelli O’Hara |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Michael Greif |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical | Kelli O'Hara |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical | Brian d'Arcy James |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Days of Wine and Roses |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Adam Guettel |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Adam Guettel |
2024 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Adam Guettel |
2024 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Brian d'Arcy James |
2024 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Kelli O'Hara |
Videos