CAPE MAY — Cape May Stage, South Jersey’s premier professional Equity theatre, is doubling their theatrical pleasure with Barry Harman and Keith Hermann’s Tony-nominated two-act musical: Romance/Romance.
Directed by Peter Reynolds and featuring the musical theater talents of Broadway’s Jennifer Evans (Ragtime¸ Jersey Boys), Charles Hagerty (Wicked, Les Miserables), Jeffrey C. Wolf (Cabaret, Cloud 9), and Nikol Wolf (Evita, Radio City Christmas Spectacular), Romance/Romance will open Wed., July 21 at 8 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse on Bank and Lafayette Streets.
A perfect combination for a summer night in historic Cape May, Romance/Romance pairs two distinctive one-acts to create an entertaining musical that explores the highs and lows of love.
The show begins in turn-of-the-century Vienna with The Little Comedy, based on the short story by Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler. Bored and cynical, two of society’s elite (Evans and Wolf) set out in search of meaningful relationships by posing as paupers.
When their charade is revealed, they discover what they were looking for was right in front of them the whole time.
The second act, Summer Share, is an updated take on Jules Renard’s play Pain de Menage. Summering in the Hamptons, two best friends (Wolf and Hagerty) contemplate marriage and monogamy, promising fidelity to their spouses even as they consider an affair with each other. Hailed by the New York Post as “a double dollop of the romantic spirit,” Romance/Romance “sparkles with charm and intelligence,” raves The New York Times.
Barry Harman (Book & Lyrics) is a writer, lyricist and director for theater and a writer-producer in TV. A Harvard grad, he began his TV career and won his first of several primetime Emmys at age twenty-three.
In theater, he has been nominated for two Tony Awards, received three Drama Desk nominations, and won three Outer Critics awards. His new original musical revue Amazing Sex (written with Romance/Romance composer Keith Herrmann), soon will debut off-Broadway.
Keith Hermann (Composer) received a Tony nomination and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Romance/Romance. The show received five Tony nominations, including Best Score and Best Musical, and has received productions in London’s West End as well as tours in Australia, Japan, and Korea. He composed, arranged, and supervised Onward Victoria, which played both on and off Broadway.
On Broadway, he has served as the orchestra conductor of Cats, and performed on its Grammy Award-winning soundtrack as pianist and keyboardist. As a performer, Mr. Herrmann has played for such notables as Joel Grey, Betty Buckley, Nell Carter, Andrea McArdle and many others.
Initially staged off-off-Broadway in 1987, Romance/Romance garnered critical notices that encouraged the move to a larger house uptown. After thirteen previews, the Broadway production, directed by Harman and choreographed by Pamela Sousa, opened on May 1, 1988 at the Helen Hayes Theatre, where it ran for 297 performances. The original cast included Alison Fraser, Scott Bakula, Deborah Graham, and Robert Hoshour.
Romance/Romance officially opens Thurs., July 22, at 8 pm at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette streets in downtown Cape May. There will be a half-price preview evening on July 21st. Performances thereafter are Tuesday through Sunday through Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, and $12.50 students. Call 609-884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre’s website, www.capemaystage.com.
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