Maury Yeston’s Death Takes a Holiday Will Come to Life Off-Broadway

Death Takes a Holiday , a new musical from Nine and Titanic composer Maury Yeston, will get its world premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company's Laura Pels Theatre this summer. The production, which features a score by Yeston and a book by the late Peter Stone (1776) and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray), will begin performances on June 10 and officially open on July 14. No casting has been announced for the Doug Hughes-helmed tuner, though as previously reported British actor Julian Ovenden is eyeing the project.

In Death Takes a Holiday, it’s just after World War I and the loneliest of souls arrives at an Italian villa disguised as a handsome young Prince, and for the first time experiences the joys and heartbreaks of life. The show began as an Alberto Casella play from the 1920s that was made into a much-loved 1934 film starring Fredric March as Death, disguised as a debonair nobleman. The original film was remade in 1998 as Meet Joe Black, starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins.

The musical version was once attached to Antonio Banderas and his Nine director David Leveaux. Steven Pasquale played Death in a spring 2009 reading of the show.

Death Takes a Holiday will feature musical direction by Kevin Stites. Casting and additional creative team members will be announced shortly.