Death Takes a Holiday (Musical)
by Maury Yeston, Thomas Meehan, Peter Stone

Name: Death Takes a Holiday (Musical)
Brand: Maury Yeston
SKU: 9780573704055
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Death Takes a Holiday (Musical) Book Cover — Death Takes a Holiday (Musical) Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins1920sEnsemble CastOpportunity for SpectaclePeriod Costumes

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk Award

Nominee: Ten 2012 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Music, Book and Lyrics

Synopsis

Just after World War I, the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince.

For the first time, Death experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life.

Death Takes a Holiday began as a 1929 play by Alberto Casella.

In 1934, the play was adapted into a beloved film starring Fredric March as Death disguised as a debonair nobleman.

In 1998, the film was remade as Meet Joe Black , starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins.

Press Reviews

"Top 10 Plays and Musicals of 2011."
— Time Magazine

"Compellingly introspective musicals are hard to come by... Maury Yeston is one of the few Broadway composers who has demonstrated the ability to weave the necessary spell, and his score for Death Takes a Holiday hits splendid heights."
— Variety

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
DEATH / PRINCE NIKOLAI SIRKITenor, Bb2-G4 Male, Mid 30's (Range: Tenor, Bb2-G4)Tired of taking people's lives, he is unable to comprehend why all men fear him. Curious to know what it means to "live." After pausing at taking Grazia's life, he decides to take "holiday" under the disguise of Prince Nikolai Sirki.	male	30	Male, Mid 30's (Range: Tenor, Bb2-G4)Tired of taking people's lives, he is unable to comprehend why all men fear him. Curious to know what it means to "live." After pausing at taking Grazia's life, he decides to take "holiday" under the disguise of Prince Nikolai Sirki.
DUKE VITTORIO LAMBERTIBaritone, D3-E4 Male, Late 40's (Range: Baritone, D3-E4)Father of Grazia. Master of the Villa Felicita. Allows Death to take room in his villa for the weekend.	male	40	Male, Late 40's (Range: Baritone, D3-E4)Father of Grazia. Master of the Villa Felicita. Allows Death to take room in his villa for the weekend.
DUCHESS STEPHANIE(Lamberti's wife) Female, Mid 40's (Mezzo Soprano, G3-E5)Lamberti's wife. Does everything in her power to see Prince Sirki enjoys his stay. Doesn't understand Lamberti's odd reservations towards the charming prince.	female	40	Female, Mid 40's (Mezzo Soprano, G3-E5)Lamberti's wife. Does everything in her power to see Prince Sirki enjoys his stay. Doesn't understand Lamberti's odd reservations towards the charming prince.
GRAZIASoprano, G3-G#5 Female, 21 (Range: Soprano, G3-G#5)After a brief brush with death, wonders if she's made the correct decisions in life, including accepting Corrado's proposal.	female	—	Female, 21 (Range: Soprano, G3-G#5)After a brief brush with death, wonders if she's made the correct decisions in life, including accepting Corrado's proposal.
CORRADO DANIELLIBari-Tenor, D3-F4 Male, 25 (Range: Bari-Tenor, D3-F4)Engaged to Grazia. Troubled over the sudden appearance of Prince Sirki and Grazia's strange behavior.	male	—	Male, 25 (Range: Bari-Tenor, D3-F4)Engaged to Grazia. Troubled over the sudden appearance of Prince Sirki and Grazia's strange behavior.
CONTESSA EVANGELINA DI SAN DANIELLIMezzo Soprano B3-D5 Female, Mid 70's (Range: Mezzo Soprano B3-D5)A widow, Corrado’s guardian. Forgetful mind, which comes with her age. Convinced Prince Sirki will be taking someone with him when he departs.	female	70	Female, Mid 70's (Range: Mezzo Soprano B3-D5)A widow, Corrado’s guardian. Forgetful mind, which comes with her age. Convinced Prince Sirki will be taking someone with him when he departs.
BARON DARIO ALBIONEBaritone, B2-E4 Male, Mid 70's (Range: Baritone, B2-E4)Evangelina’s Doctor in residence, and an intimate old friend of the family as well.	male	70	Male, Mid 70's (Range: Baritone, B2-E4)Evangelina’s Doctor in residence, and an intimate old friend of the family as well.
ALICE Female, 26 (Rage: Mezzo Soprano Belt, D4-G5)Grazia’s sister-in-law. Was married to Grazia’s late brother, Roberto, killed in the war. Takes an immediate liking to Sirki. An American from Indiana. Her bark is bigger than her bite.	female	—	Female, 26 (Rage: Mezzo Soprano Belt, D4-G5)Grazia’s sister-in-law. Was married to Grazia’s late brother, Roberto, killed in the war. Takes an immediate liking to Sirki. An American from Indiana. Her bark is bigger than her bite.
MAJOR ERIC FENTONTenor, Db3-G4 Male, Mid 20’s (Range: Tenor, Db3-G4)An American army aviator, Corrado’s best man and best friend.	male	20	Male, Mid 20’s (Range: Tenor, Db3-G4)An American army aviator, Corrado’s best man and best friend.
DAISY FENTON(Eric's sister)Mezzo Soprano, A3-F5 Female, 16 (Range: Mezzo Soprano, A3-F5)Grazia’s best friend and Eric's sister. Infatuated with prince Sirki. Disheartened she’s not allowed to be alone with him.	female	—	Female, 16 (Range: Mezzo Soprano, A3-F5)Grazia’s best friend and Eric's sister. Infatuated with prince Sirki. Disheartened she’s not allowed to be alone with him.
FIDELEBaritone, F2-E4 Male, Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, F2-E4)A Majordomo. Burdened with the fact he is the only other person who knows Prince Sirki's true identity.	male	—	Male, Age Flexible (Range: Baritone, F2-E4)A Majordomo. Burdened with the fact he is the only other person who knows Prince Sirki's true identity.
SOPHIAEnsemble/Part Flexible Female, 18-20 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)A Housemaid.	female	20	Female, 18-20 (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)A Housemaid.
LORENZOEnsemble/Part Flexible Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)A Chauffeur/Gardener.	male	—	Male, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)A Chauffeur/Gardener.
CORAEnsemble/Part Flexible Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)The Cook.	female	—	Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)The Cook.