Review: How Do You Become a Producer? The Producers of the North American Premiere of THE WAR OF THE ROSES Explain

How does one measure the success of a team of Broadway producers? And the answer is when they achieve 7 Tony Award nominations as well as Tony Awards for ALL THE WAY, SPRING AWAKENING, and GLENGGARY GLEN ROSS.

Jay and Cindy Gutterman have achieved this success and were recently showcasing their latest project, turning the successful film "The War of the Roses" into a roaring comedy getting its North American English version debut at the Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington, Delaware.

How did they become successful producers? They began working with Max Cooper who worked with the great impresario, Alexander Cohen. Cooper was in the twilight of his career. They decided they could do this by themselves.

Their first show with their names above the title was THE SCENT OF THE ROSES which starred the 5 time Tony Award winning actress Julie Harris, in Nyack, NY which did not make it to Broadway. A show that did was TAKING SIDES in 1996 starring Ed Harris.

Their first hit was the wonderful Off-Broadway hit LOVE JANIS which ran for over 800 performances and starred Cathy Curtin ("Orange Is the New Black"). They then partnered with George Carlin for the Off-Broadway hit Hank Williams: LOST HIGHWAY which is still being produced.

In 2004, came the successful Broadway musical BROOKLYN followed by the revival of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS which ran for 20 weeks with Alan Alda and Liev Schreiber. Two dozen additional Broadway productions followed.

The author of the 1981 novel Warren Adler had been approached about making a musical of ROSES which had become a hit movie in 1989 starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Later, two associates of the Guttermans met with Adler about this idea.

The Guttermans got the rights to the novel between 2013 and 2014. Director Bud Martin worked with Adler to expand the original story for the stage. Adler added the story line demonstrating how the husband, the suave and successful lobbyist in DC Jonathan Rose (the talented Jack Noseworthy) and the wife Barbara Rose (the lovely Christine DeCicco) met. The many multiple changes and additions were cooperatively achieved with the author, director and the Gutterman producing team.

What is strange is that there was a play of THE WAR OF THE ROSES presented in Spain, German, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Argentina to good reviews. Adler did not see these foreign incarnations. The Guttermans knew the show needed to be acclimated to American and English humor which they have achieved successfully. They also believed the setting would not be contemporary but instead, the late '80's or 90's, thus there may be cell phones but no texting.

Following the consent from Adler to proceed, the next question was where would they go to put it on. They had seen the successful Delaware Theatre Company's rendition of the musical DINER (first presented at Virginia's Signature Theatre) in December 2015 that was directed by Kathleen Marshall. While there, they approached Artistic Director Bud Martin over lunch exploring the idea. When Martin inquired who they wanted to direct the musical, the Guttermans responded, "You!"

After getting the approval of Adler, there was a reading at the DTC where 125 subscribers gave feedback. This was followed by two months of negotiations to get the changes made when finally Adler gave the "full speed ahead" signal.

Cathy Chernoff has been a partner with the Guttermans since 2010 and they have done 10 shows together and is excited about ROSES.

Director Martin has his imprimatur all over this play. He helped with casting in NYC and has hit a home run casting the two lawyers: Thurmont, the wife's conservative lawyer is played wonderfully by Cameron Folmar who gets many laughs with his various outfits demonstrating his extra-curricula activities which include fly fishing, horseback riding, tennis, and even fencing. (Great Costumes by Wade Laboissoniere.) Thurmont gets around.

The husband's lawyer, Goldstein, (the talented and experienced Lenny Wolpe) is blessed with the best lines in the play. Blessed is the appropriate description since he is a former Rabbi ("Now I get paid for my advice) and quotes the Talmud and the Bible. He demonstrates impeccable comedic timing. And the humor in this show is what makes this rendition so much more enjoyable than the film.

Whenever the attorneys interact, it's hilarious.

Martin chose a talented Scenic Designer in Paul Tate DePoo III. When the curtain finally rises to show the massive living room and long staircase leading to the second floor bedrooms, the audience gave it a big ovation and it was worth it. It is just plain spectacular. And yes, there is a gigantic chandelier. Need I say more ?? This is certainly Broadway ready.

The clever lighting is by Rob Denton and the Original Music and Sound Design is by Broken Chord.

According to Jay Gutterman, opening night was "...just plain thrilling. The actors and the crew have worked so hard along with the creative team and Martin did a formidable job directing. The audience loved it curtain to curtain."

The play reminded me of the classic WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF but with the laughs of NOISES OFF. And what a coincidence the author of WOOLF, Edward Albee, just passed away.

THE WAR OF THE ROSES continues until October 2, 1016 at the Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington. For tickets, call 302-594-110 or visit www.Delaware Theatre.org.

I was not only impressed by the theater but by Wilmington itself which boasts a lovely boardwalk on a river filled with restaurants. I highly recommend the Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant. There is even a miniature golf course (that features delicious ice-cream).

I will definitely return to the DTC. It is located just off I-95, walking distance to Amtrak, and only one hour and 15 from Baltimore.

Finally, regarding THE WAR OF THE ROSES, I certainly see a future. Broadway could certainly use a bright, spirited comedy. I wish the Guttermans much success.

The reviews have been mostly positive, a good sign for the future.

A New Musical in DC is heading to Broadway

What a joy it was to see the new musical COME FROM AWAY at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Thanks to fellow Broadwayworld.com/Washington, DC correspondent Jen Perry, we just saw this incredible musical which concerns the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland who following the tragedy of 9/11 were pressed into action to accommodate planes from around the world diverted to
Gander due to the closing of U.S. air space. Yes, it's heartbreaking, poignant but it is filled with humor. Everywhere it goes it is getting rave reviews starting at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse, DC, and finally Toronto and then heads to Broadway in February, 2017. Featuring a superb cast which includes Broadway veterans Jean Colella, Joel Hatch, Rodney Hicks, Kendra Kassebaum, Chad Kimball (Tony-nominated for MEMPHIS), Caesar Samayoa, and Q. Smith and includes Geno Carr, Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan, Lee MacDougall, Astrid Van Wieran, and Sharon Wheatley.

The Lighting is amazing thanks to Tony Award winner for HAMILTON Howell Binkley, superb Sound by Gareth Owen, clever Scenic Design by Tony-winner Beowulf Boritt, dynamic choreography by Kelly Devine, all under the splendid direction of Christopher Ashley who will be directing FREAKY FRIDAY next at the Signature Theatre shortly.

The Celtic music with the musicians on stage may remind you of ONCE. Kudos to Irene Sankoff and David Hein who wrote the Book and the fabulous Music and Lyrics. The band performs an explosive number at the end. I can't wait for the CD.

COME FROM AWAY has been extended to Oct. 16 but you may have to go to the secondary market to get tickets or visit the web site www.comefromaway.com.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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