The Weill-Lerner Broadway Vaudeville Love Life has triumphed in a new production at Opera North in Leeds, England. With Kurt Weill Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award laureate James Holmes as Music Director, directed by Matthew Eberhardt, and choreographed by Will Tuckett, the production premiered on 16 January 2025, to all but unanimous critical acclaim. The performances were captured for broadcast and streaming by the BBC beginning 8 February and subsequent release by the Capriccio label as the first ever commercial recording of the work. A sampling of critical reaction follows. (Production photos by James Glossop.)

★★★★★ “This rip-roaring revival of the 1948 collaboration between Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner touches a nerve – and reinvents a genre… Bring on the recording, and some more revivals!”
The Daily Telegraph – Nicholas Kenyon

★★★★½ “Comedy, music, dancing, and even magic, this show has it all… It is absolutely clear that this musical laid the foundations for many popular Broadway shows including Follies, Chicago and even Cabaret.”
The Reviews Hub – Jennie Eyres

★★★★ “Baritone Quirijn de Lang and soprano Stephanie Corley prove unbeatable as Sam and Susan, delivering readings that are vocally immaculate and physically stylish… Among a host of secondary roles, Justin Hopkins’ Hobo delivers the title song to perfection. Will Tuckett’s choreography is gamely presented by the company and expertly delivered by dancers Holly Saw and Max Westwell in the ‘Divorce Ballet’ sequence of the second act.”
The Stage – George Hall

★★★★ “Matthew Eberhardt’s production, with designs by Zahra Mansouri, wisely opts for relative minimalism. Against a set consisting largely of steel girders and risers, including a bandstand for the orchestra, Sam and Susan remain in the same timeless black outfits throughout, in contrast to gilded theatrical detail for the vaudevillians.”
The Guardian – Sarah Noble

★★★★★ “The orchestra is in full view on stage, and if the sound quality captured is as good as what was heard in the auditorium last night, it will be magnificent.”
Theatre Reviews North – Robert Beale

“The orchestra is conducted by James Holmes, and the score really brings out the diversity of styles and eras. While all inflected by the melodic popular idiom of the time in which it was written (and Weill’s tuneful genius), the music also embraces a range of styles which are emphasized here by the inclusion of (for example) banjo, mandolin and woodwind in ways that augment this diversity and creativity.”
British Theatre Guide – Mark Love-Smith

“The score’s superb orchestration gives time and space to instruments from all sections… This lovingly crafted music strongly evokes America as hoedown, waltz, polka, boogie-woogie, jaunty syncopation and laid-back swing.”
Mature Times – Eileen Caiger Gray

“The thing I hadn’t banked on was that Love Life would be full of references to other musicals – years before they were written! I found every element of the show to be superb.”
Tyke It To The Limit – Stan Graham

“Matthew Eberhardt’s new staging and Will Tuckett’s scintillating choreography are like a gust of fresh air.”
Wharfedale Observer – Geoffrey Mogridge

“An ingenious revival of Kurt Weill’s forgotten musical!”
The Times – Richard Morrison

“Watch closely and you’ll see the roots of Cabaret, Chicago and Company.”
Yorkshire Times

For an excellent collection of captioned production photos, see the coverage in Leeds Living.