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Pacific Overtures Revival 2004

Ages: 10+
Opened: December 2, 2004
Closing: January 30, 2005

Pacific Overtures - 2004 Broadway History , Info & More

Pacific Overtures is a musical exploring the forced opening of Japan to the West in the mid-19th century, told from the perspective of the Japanese. The musical uses a Brechtian approach, with actors directly addressing the audience and minimal sets, to comment on the historical and cultural clash.



The musical's title refers to the way that Westerners approached Japan during this time period, treating it as a mysterious and "overture" to a larger potential market in Asia. The musical itself is a series of short scenes that depict the changing landscape of Japan as it is forced to open itself to foreign influence.



The musical's score is a mixture of traditional Japanese music and Western show tunes, and the lyrics are often sung in English with Japanese pronunciations. This creates a unique and dissonant effect that reflects the cultural clash at the heart of the musical.


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Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights for Arthur 'Artie' Gaffin 9/18
by Julie Musbach - Sep 17, 2019


The Broadway community mourns the loss of beloved Production Stage Manager, Arthur a?oeArtiea?? Gaffin, who passed away on September 13, 2019. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of the American Airlines, Marquis, New Amsterdam, St. James, and Broadhurst Theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, September 18 at exactly 7:45pm.

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Megan Hilty, and More Go To Utah For Golden Spike 150th Anniversary Celebrations
by Julie Musbach - Feb 6, 2019


Utah's Governor Gary R. Herbert held a press conference last week to announce not-to-miss musical headliners, performances that will be a part of the Spike 150 celebration of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, including events starring Brian Stokes Mitchell, Megan Hilty and Ali Ewoldt.

Ben Steinfeld, Emily Young & More Will Star in Fiasco's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 8, 2018


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has just announced complete casting for Fiasco Theater's new production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Fiasco's production will be directed by Fiasco Co-Artistic Director Noah Brody, is based on and with additional material from the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, and will feature Music Direction & Orchestrations by Alexander Gemignani and Choreography by Lorin Latarro.

Roundabout & Fiasco Theatre Will Present MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Off-Broadway in 2019
by Nicole Rosky - May 17, 2018


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has just announced a new collaboration with Roundabout's Company in Residence: Fiasco Theater. Roundabout will present Fiasco's new production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG featuring a book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Merrily We Roll Along is based on and with additional material from the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

VIDEO: On This Day, September 15- Light the Lights! Sondheim Celebrates His Newly Re-Named Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 15, 2017


On Wednesday, September 15th, 2010, the Broadway community gathered alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen SondheimTheatre marquee are lit for the first time.

Casting Announced for the Midwest Premiere AMERICAN HWANGAP
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2017


Halcyon Theatre and A-Squared Theatre are proud to announce casting for the Midwest Premiere of Lloyd Suh's American Hwangap-led by Jeff Award-winner Joseph Anthony Foronda. Helen Young is set to direct the co-production that runsFebruary 24 through April 1 at Halcyon Theatre located in residence at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3253 W. Wilson Avenue, on Chicago's north side.  

Roundabout's INTO THE WOODS Enters Final Weeks Off-Broadway
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 17, 2015


Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude its limited engagement of the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Into the Woods, on April 12, 2015.

Fiasco's Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Receives Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Touring Production
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 10, 2015


Last night at the 13th Annual Craig Noel Awards in San Diego, CA, Fiasco Theater's critically acclaimed production of Into the Woods won the Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Touring Production. The ceremony was held at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in La Jolla, CA.

Roundabout Extends Fiasco Theater's Reimagined INTO THE WOODS
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 26, 2015


Fiasco Theater's production of INTO THE WOODS, presented by Roundabout Theatre Company in association with McCarter Theatre Center, has opened to widespread critical acclaim Off-Broadway, and is now extended by three weeks through April 12, 2015.

Fiasco Theater's Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Opens at Roundabout Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jan 22, 2015


Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS.

Fiasco Theater's Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Opens at Roundabout Tomorrow
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 21, 2015


Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS.

Stephen Sondheim Surprises off-Broadway's INTO THE WOODS with Musical Tips Before Opening Night
by Caryn Robbins - Jan 21, 2015


The New York Post reports that famed composer Stephen Sondheim surprised the cast of Roundabout Theatre Company's small-scale production of INTO THE WOODS with some musical tips prior to opening night.

Stephen Sondheim Attends First Preview of Roundabout's INTO THE WOODS; 'He Couldn't Wait' for Official Opening
by Caryn Robbins - Dec 22, 2014


Legendary composer Stephen Sondheim took in the first preview of the Roundabout Theatre Company's new production on INTO THE WOODS on Thursday, December 18th.

Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Begins Tonight at Roundabout
by BWW News Desk - Dec 18, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS.

Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Begins Performances Tomorrow at Roundabout
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 17, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS.

Jessie Austrian, Ben Steinfeld, Emily Young & More Set to Lead Roundabout's INTO THE WOODS; Opens Off-Broadway in January!
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 27, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) just announced that the upcoming Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning Into the Woods will feature the original McCarter Theatre Center/Fiasco Theater cast, including: Jessie Austrian as "Baker's Wife," Noah Brody as "Lucinda, Wolf & Cinderella's Prince," Paul L. Coffey as "Mysterious Man," Andy Grotelueschen as "Milky White, Florinda & Rapunzel's Prince," Liz Hayes as "Cinderella's Stepmother & Jack's Mother," Claire Karpen as "Cinderella & Granny," Jennifer Mudge as Witch," Patrick Mulryan as "Jack & Steward," Ben Steinfeld as "Baker" and Emily Youngas "Little Red Ridinghood & Rapunzel."

Reimagined INTO THE WOODS Will Begin Performances in December at Roundabout; Opening Night Announced!
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 7, 2014


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the performance schedule for the upcoming Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's Tony Award-winning Into the Woods.

Final Tickets On Sale Now for Roundabout Theatre Company’s ASSASSINS Benefit
by Kelsey Denette - Nov 27, 2012


The final 30 orchestra tickets for Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) benefit performance of ASSASSINS are now on sale.

Breaking: 2004 Cast of Roundabout's ASSASSINS to Reunite for Dec. 3 Benefit Reading; Cerveris, O'Hare, Kudisch, Harris, Barbour, Cantone & More!
by Robert Diamond - Aug 21, 2012


Reuniting for one night only are the stars of the 2004 Tony Award winning production: Becky Ann Baker (Sara Jane Moore), James Barbour (Leon Czolgosz), Mario Cantone (Samuel Byck), Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Mary Catherine Garrison (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Alexander Gemignani (John Hinckley), Neil Patrick Harris (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald), Marc Kudisch (Proprietor), Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara) and Denis O'Hare (Charles Guiteau).

Roundabout Hosts Reading of Jessica Stone's All-Male A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Next Week
by Jessica Lewis - Feb 7, 2012


Jessica Stone's production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum will receive a Friends of Roundabout reading.

TV Special: Stephen Sondheim Theatre Unveiled
by James Sims - Sep 17, 2010


On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community gathered alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time...

Photo Coverage: Stephen Sondheim Theatre Unveiled!
by Peter James Zielinski - Sep 15, 2010


On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community gathered alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.

Sondheim Theatre Marquee Unveiled 9/15
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2010


On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community will gather alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.

LuPone, Lane & More to Unveil Sondheim Theatre Tomorrow
by Robert Diamond - Sep 14, 2010


Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community will gather alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.

Sondheim Theatre Marquee to Be Unveiled 9/15
by Jessica Lewis - Aug 30, 2010


On Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30PM, the Broadway community will gather alongside Stephen Sondheim as the lights of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre marquee are lit for the first time.

Pacific Overtures History

Other Productions of Pacific Overtures

1976   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1976   US Tour West Coast Tour
US Tour
1984   Off-Off-Broadway York Theatre Company Production
Off-Off-Broadway
1984   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1987   Regional (UK) English National Opera Production
Regional (UK)
2000   New National Theatre of Tokyo Production
2001   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
2002   US Tour New National Theatre of Tokyo Production
US Tour
2003   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2003   West End Donmar Warehouse Revival
West End
2004   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2017   Off-Broadway Classic Stage Company Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway

Videos