"A Sentimental Journey" - The Story of Doris Day

[webmaster]

A Sentimental Journey, Based on the Life of Doris Day, to Transfer to London's Wilton's Music Hall
By Mark Shenton, 12 Jan 2010

A Sentimental Journey, a musical play by Adam Rolston that tells the story of Doris Day, is to transfer to London's Wilton's Music Hall for a four-week season, beginning performances March 9, prior to an official opening March 11, and running through April 4. It originally received its world premiere at the Mill at Sonning, a regional theatre near Reading in Berkshire, where it played as sell-out eight-week season that began last February.

According to press materials, Day was a vivacious blonde with a wholesome image, who was able to sing, dance, play comedy and dramatic roles with equal dexterity, who became one of the biggest box-office stars in the world. But behind the screen, there was a story that rivaled any script Hollywood could ever dream up. At 13, a car accident threatened to end her dancing career. By 17, she was married to a psychopathic bully. When her third husband died, a man she had been married to for 17 years, she discovered he had left her with a debt of half a million dollars.

Musical numbers that will be featured include "The Deadwood Stage," "Secret Love," "Little Girl Blue," "Day By Day," "Que Sera Sera," "It's Magic" and "Young At Heart."

The cast includes Sally Hughes as Doris Day, with Ian McLarnon (Terry), Elizabeth Elvin (Alma Kappelhoff) and Mark Halliday (Marty Melcher). It is directed by Alvin Rakoff, with choreography by Joseph Pitcher musical director Jo Stewart, design by Eileen Diss, costumes by Jane Kidd and lighting by Filippo Capitani.

Hughes has been the artistic director of the Mill at Sonning since 1984, where she has appeared in Dames at Sea and Too Marvellous For Words, among others. Director Rakoff has directed a dozen feature films and over 100 TV films, twice winning Emmy Awards for "A Voyage Round My Father" and "Call Me Daddy."

http://www.wiltons.org.uk./whats-on/eve ... al-journey

[Jas1]

You are lucky Bryan, would love to see that.

[suzie]

Wow Bryan would I ever love to see that show. You will have to tell us all about it . I would love it if it would come to the states. Have a great time and enjoy our Doris. I am green with envey lol.

[melancholy]

As I am off to London on Monday I entend to get a ticket. Is anybody besides Bryan going?
Having seen the stage at Wilton's music hall, it's quite unique. I just have to set a date because I would like to make it a matinée. It is wonderful to see "Sentimental journey" programmed.

Dorine

[littlepinetree]

How neat you are going Dorine! I sure wish I could go with you!
I look forward to hearing about it when you all get back!
xoxo, Lisa

[howard]

Has anyone seen "Sentimental Journey?" If so, how was it?

[webmaster]

(I've been asked to remove the video clips I posted.)

I saw a dress rehearsal on Monday, thanks to Stephen at http://www.dorisdaytribute.com, who got me a ticket. The show is an outline of the known facts about her life - no huge surprises for fans but nicely put together and performed with style, warmth and gusto. We mingled with the cast and writer after and they obviously cared about the production and are hoping that it will be taken up by some producer and go further. It's very minimalist in production terms - a band (excellent) at the back on a 2-layered small stage with some kind of box cylinders at the front doubling as a car, a bed, a seat, etc.

You should see the show if you can - it's fun - and not too long! Sally Hughes as Doris has real star power, although she told us she was trying to save her voice for the production 'proper'. The men in the cast were continuously changing parts: Doris' father, Al Jordon, Terry Melcher, Marty Melcher, Frank Sinatra, etc, so it was hard to work out who was who at times - but they were all very good.

[melancholy]

Thanks Bryan. I wondered about the musical, it seems to be a great performance. Also Sally Hughes' voice. I am impressed by the scene as where Terry comes in. We all know Doris as the gifted singer and actress, but she was so young when she became a dedicated mother. Looking very much forward to seeing it.
Dorine

[webmaster]

Yes, you'll like it, Dorine - you'll have a warm glow at the end of the show.
'Alma', Doris' mum, is great as well. Let us know what you think.

[howard]

Bryan ... thanks so much for posting this. I've been very curious about the show. Ms Hughes has a good voice, hasn't she? She seemed very nice, too! Do you think the show has a chance to go on to bigger and better things?

[puck]

Thank you Bryan, I wish I could see that show, but unfortunaly is that not possible, so it's nice to see something of it, thank you for sharing some moments of it.

[webmaster]

Howard, who knows? A lot of people are going to see it - the current theatre is taking the best bookings for some time. It would be great to see it in the West End but it takes millions to stage a production there. There's no reason why it couldn't tour as it is though.

[Dianne]

Thanks for posting this Bryan...very nice and you are so lucky to have been there. And Dorine...have a great time!

[melancholy]

Thanks Dianne,looking very much forward to it especially after all we saw here.Get the feeling of the place.
Dorine

[webmaster]

As mentioned above, I was asked by the company to remove the video clips I made - fair enough, I understand their reasons. Hope you all still get a chance to see it.

[daybyday08]

Speaking of Sentimental Journey, I just checked youtube and The Doris Day A Sentimental Journey Documentary has just been put up. Check it out:

[melancholy]

Well,lots to tell for sure!!The musical was glorious.A full report to come...
Dorine

[melancholy]

You are right Bryan,you leave the theatre with a warm glow.I think Sally does a marvellous performance.Her mimics and language and posture,it all is so close to how it depicts Doris.I just love the way it is brought onto stage and the way Terry tells the story and how much he loved his mum and helped her in so many ways.It was quite emotional,and the songs were perfectly linked to the events in the show.The twirling and dancing and singing are perfect.It is great when act II starts with Calamity.So vibrant.And I also love the part whereas "Doris" reads the letter from when she was in London and wrote to Terry about that experience of The man who knew too much.Each time I passed the Royal Albert Hall,I pictured our Doris there,it would be lovely if a picture would be found of her there.The love between Alma and Doris was so genuine,so warm,Doris's everlasting optimisme and endurance.And the lovely message she lives happily in Carmel.It was a wonderful matinée for me and I am very proud of the performance,very classy.So is the theatre I must say.A once in a lifetime opportunity to see Doris's life how it really was from start till end.
Dorine

[mikeydv]

One in England/ one in Florida now on the West Coast....when is the poor East Coast of the US gonna be treated to one of these wonderful shows?

[melancholy]

I must say,this was an outstanding performance of Sally!
Dorine

[melancholy]

[webmaster]

Great pics! How did you get them? Looks much better than the dress rehearsal - didn't see those clothes - or dog!

Loved your review.

[melancholy]

These come from a little leaflet you could get at the stand as you came in.It probably was not easy to get the cloths right,but it was wonderful.The moment Doris got the part in Romance on the high seas,she got a silvery cape thrown over her shoulders,it was so classy.The wardrobe Mistress is Jane Kidd.She has been designing for over 200 productions.As for the dog,that was sweet as it explains Doris is living happily in Carmel,surrounded by her babies.
Doris sounded great yersterday by the way at Magig 63 eventhough she had a hoarse throat!!I must say that Mike's show was so classy and I enjoyed it very much.
Dorine

[melancholy]

lovely picture of Sally and co-star rehearsal.Dorine

[larar1290]

Hello Everyone!

I work at The Mill at Sonning Theatre, the place where A Sentimental Journey first began and just found all your wonderful comments and praises.

I am here to tell you that the show is doing a mini tour this year! It is currently in Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and will be until the end of the month. It will then be returning to The Mill at Sonning for 6 weeks 8 Sept - 15 Oct. The Mill tickets include a 2 course meal, coffee, programme 1 between 2, Car Park and VAT so all in all it really is a wonderful place.

And...for our fans across the pond. A Sentimental Journey is making it's American Debut in Los Angeles at The El Portal Theater from 2nd - 20th November. We're very excited about this and really hope that Doris' American fans will come and see us!

We hope to see y'all soon!