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Directing Thesis: The Visit


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Directed by Marina Montesanti

Columbia University School of the Arts is proud to present The Visit, a thrilling musical that examines justice, morality, and the price of revenge. Last seen on Broadway in 2015, this daring new revival, directed by current student Marina Montesanti, breathes life into Kander and Ebb's haunting masterpiece.

When billionaire Claire Zachanassian returns to her impoverished hometown—once a place of deep betrayal—she finds the same townspeople who cruelly wronged her, now desperate for the promise of salvation that she brings. But Claire’s arrival comes with a chilling ultimatum: the town must confront its dark past, and the price of redemption may be far greater than anyone is willing to pay.

As lies unravel, allegiances shift, and justice takes on a new meaning, The Visit poses a chilling question: what would you sacrifice to reclaim what was taken from you?

Showtimes

Thursday, March 13 @ 8pm
Friday, March 14 @ 8pm
Saturday, March 15 @ 2pm
Saturday, March 15 @ 8pm
Sunday, March 16 @ 2pm

Run Time

90 minutes, no intermission

Content Warning

Please be advised that this production includes the following content: Suicidal thoughts; Hate Speech & Extreme Bigoted Sentiments; Slurs.

Featuring

Claire Zachanassian - Gi DiFebbo
Rudi - Joel Trinidad
Jacob Chicken - Gabe DeRose 
Louis Perch - Will Ernest Adams
Anton Schell - John Beirne
Matilde - Kaylee Nicole Michael
Karl - Ally Bouska
Ottilie - Emīlija Pavlovska
Peter Dummermut - Michael Leyte-Vidal
​​Annie Dummermut - Emily Drossell
Father Josef - Zachary Hedner (current student)
Frederich Kuhn - Kenny Harmon
Hans Nusselin - Lia Tamborra
Otto Hahnke - Ry Albinus
Young Anton - Matt Griesgraber
Young Claire - Samantha Harnick
Ensemble/Swing - Katie Calderone

Production Team & Crew

Director Marina Montesanti (current student)
Choreographer Reka Echerer
Associate Choreographer Rei Akazawa-Smith
Music Director George Luton
Dramaturg Amalia Rojas (current student)
Production Stage Manager Sydney Erwin (current student)
Stage Manager Emily Griffith (current student)
Scenic and Props Designer Oscar Escobedo
Lighting Designer Victoria Bain
Producer Seth Pecore (current student)
Producer Brissa Lopez (current student)
Company Manager Anna Rui Dou (current student)
Sound Designer Devin Wong
Costume Designer Kyle Artone
Development & Casting Associate Samantha Harnick

About the Director

Marina Montesanti is a theatre director and a Tony Award-nominated co-producer as part of Iconic Vizion Productions. Broadway (co-pro): Fat Ham, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. As Director (selected): In The Bronx Brown Girls can See Stars Too, Lehman Stages; Uncle Vanya, Columbia University; Lizzie, Madison Theatre; Dear Mr. C, University of the Arts; EXIST, Columbia University; Savana Glacial, Irondale Theatre; Derecho, La Tea. Assistant Director; 1776, A.R.T. As Associate Director to Sergio Trujillo. Montesanti has worked with ​​Roundabout Theatre Company, Gibney Dance, BAM, Signature Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera, and others. SDC member, SDCF Charles Abbott Fellow, TPOC Bway, Statera Mentorship Member - MAESTRA Music, Inc. Marina also taught at CAP21 for the Musical Theatre BFA Program. Education: BFA, Dramatic Arts, The New School for Drama. MFA in Directing, Columbia School of the Arts ‘25 (Candidate).


THE VISIT

Book by
Terrence McNally

Music by
John Kander

Lyrics by
Fred Ebb

Based on the Play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, as adapted by Maurice Valency

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