Do I Hear a Waltz?

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Do I Hear a Waltz?

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  5w, 4m, 1boy(s)

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents

Based on the play The Time of the Cuckoo by Arthur Laurents

This musical adaptation of The Time of the Cuckoo, a bittersweet romance set in Venice, was a unique collaboration of three giants of the musical theatre: Richard Rodgers, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim.

Image: 2016 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Do I Hear a Waltz?

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 4m, 1boy(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Three 1965 Tony Awards, including Best Composer and Lyricist
Also Available
The Time of the Cuckoo

Details

Summary

Leona, an unmarried American secretary “of a certain age,” goes on a vacation to Venice where, under the spell of that enchanted city, she falls in love. The gentleman is an attractive, middle-aged shopkeeper, whose attentions give flight to her deepest dreams of romance. Too soon, however, he openly informs her that he is a contented family man, and Leona's hopes are dashed. She can, for a short time, harness romance, yet realizes that such a relationship would have nowhere to go. Still, might it be better than never having loved at all?

This timeless story, which was also the basis of the movie Summertime starring Katharine Hepburn, remains a bittersweet testament to the complexities of the heart.

History
Do I Hear A Waltz? opened on Broadway on March 18, 1965 at the 46th Street Theatre and closed on September 25, 1965 after 220 performances. It starred Elizabeth Allen and Sergio Franchi; other principal cast members included Carol Bruce, Madeleine Sherwood, Julienne Marie, Stuart Damon, Fleury D'Antonakis and Jack Manning.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
PRINCIPALS
4 Women
3 Men

FEATURED
1 Woman
1 Man
1 Boy

ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble

CHARACTERS
Mauro
Leona Samish
Fioria
Eddie Yeager
Jennifer Yeager
Mr. McIlhenny
Mrs. McIlhenny
Giovanna
Vito
Renato Di Rossi
  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting Venice, 1965.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Do I Hear A Waltz? beautifully sets the growing archness of Sondheim’s lyrics to Rodgers’ traditionally romantic and spirited melodies.” – BroadwayWorld.com

“Deft and intelligent... the score is filled with pleasures... haunting... charming... brightly sardonic.” – The New York Post

“The results are right up there with some of the best scores Rodgers helped turn out – and Sondheim’s agile words are also among his most devilishly clever!” – David Finkle, The Huffington Post

“Richly entertaining... There’s plenty that should be seen.” – Los Angeles Times

“It’s clear this uncommonly literate work opened far ahead of its time... The hard-edge themes seem closer to what we typically expect of Sondheim than of Rodgers, but their union yielded a beguiling score that beautifully dovetails with the bittersweet text. Sondheim’s incisively ironic lyrics foreshadow his later triumphs, and Rodgers’ melodies are lush and lovely.” – Backstage West

“Rodgers has flooded the stage with lilting melody... Sondheim is at his wittiest... everything about the musical is tasteful... quality is stamped on everything and everybody.” – Cue Magazine

Photos

  • Do I Hear a Waltz?

    Image: 2016 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “Someone Woke Up” – Mauro, Leona, Casper
2. “This Week Americans” – Mauro, Leona, Fioria, Eddie, Jennifer, Mr. McIlhenny, Mrs. McIlhenny, Giovanna
3. “Plane Song” – Mauro, Leona, Fioria, Eddie, Jennifer, Mr. McIlhenny, Mrs. McIlhenny, Giovanna
4. “Someone Like You” – Jennifer, Eddie, Leona, Mauro, Vito, Di Rossi
5. “Here We Are Again” – Candida, Joe, Darrell, Jimmy, Leaon, Ensemble, Fioria, Mrs. McIlhenny, Eddie, Jennifer, Giovanna
6. “Thinking” – Giovanna, Leona, Mauro, Di Rossi, Mrs. McIlhenny, Mr. McIlhenny, Fioria, Eddie, Jennifer
7. “No Understand” – Vito, Leona, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Giovanna, Mauro, Di Rossi
8. “Take The Moment” – Vito, Leona, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Giovanna, Mauro, Di Rossi

Act II

9. “Moon In My Window” – Jennifer, Fioria, Eddie
10. “We're Gonna Be All Right” – Alfredo, Mrs. McIlhenny, Mr. McIlhenny, Giovanna, Leona, the Man, Mauro, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Di Rossi
11. “Do I Hear A Waltz?” – Alfredo, Mrs. McIlhenny, Mr. McIlhenny, Giovanna, Leona, the Man, Mauro, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Di Rossi
12. “Do I Hear A Waltz? (Reprise)” – Alfredo, Mrs. McIlhenny, Mr. McIlhenny, Giovanna, Leona, the Man, Mauro, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Di Rossi
13. “Stay” – Alfredo, Mrs. McIlhenny, Mr. McIlhenny, Giovanna, Leona, the Man, Mauro, Fioria, Jennifer, Eddie, Di Rossi
14. “Perfectly Lovely Couple” – Eddie, Mrs. McIlhenny, Jennifer, Fioria, Giovanna, Di Rossi, Mr. McIlhenny
15. “Everybody Loves Leona” – Eddie, Mrs. McIlhenny, Jennifer, Fioria, Giovanna, Di Rossi, Mr. McIlhenny
16. “Last Week Americans” – Eddie, Fioria, Leona, Mrs. Haslam, Giovanna
17. “Thank You So Much” – Leona, Di Rossi, Mauro

Full Orchestration

Piano
Reed I (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Optional Alto (G) Flute)
Reed II (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet)
Reed III (Oboe, Clarinet,Optional English Horn, Optional Flute)
Reed IV (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Optional Bassoon, Optional Flute)
Trumpet I&II (Trumpet I doubles Flugelhorn)
Trombone I
Trombone II
Trombone III (Bass Trombone)
Violin A&B (Divisi)
Viola (Divisi)
Cello (Divisi)
Bass
Harp (Doubling Celesta)
Guitar (Doubling Mandolin)
Percussion
Trap Set
Timpani
Chimes
Wood Block
Ratchet
Vibraphone
Glockenspiel
Triangle
Bongos
Bells
Sandpaper
Castanets
Cymbals
Toms

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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22 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Trombone 3
1 Harp
1 Guitar
1 Percussion
1 Violin A&B
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
1 Logo Pack
22 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Logo Pack
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Authors

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers' contribution to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits ranging from the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright light ...

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Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweene ...

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Arthur Laurents

Arthur Laurents

Arthur Laurents (1917-2011) was the author of musical plays such as West Side Story, Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle, Do I Hear A Waltz?, Hallelujah Baby! (1967 Tony Award For Best Musical) and Nick & Nora; and the screenplays The Snake Pit, Rope, Caught, Anastasia, Bonjour Tristes ...

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