The Chicago Tribune reviewed the off-Broadway production in '91 and raved about both the show and Donna Murphy's breakout performance.
When the upcoming Chicago version was announced in '95, my partner and I were really looking forward to seeing it. I just found an article about it. The Song of Singapore Cafe and a 320-seat venue were constructed over the Second City mainstage in Piper's Alley. If I'm understanding the article correctly, the construction cost $700,000 and the production itself was budgeted at $459,000. That's a lot of dinero for a local version of a well-reviewed, but not particularly well known off-Broadway musical, especially in 1995. Then the show opened -- the reviews were brutal -- and then the show closed.
I was inspired by this thread to dig out the London cast album CD and listen to it during my walk at the gym this morning. The score is quite sprightly and entertaining -- Issy van Randwyck is great as Rose of Rangoon. |
