This was a new adaptation of Alan Paton's novel Cry, the Beloved Country, using most but not all of the score of the 1949 adaptation, Lost in the Stars. In this version, Stephen never sang. In "Thousands of Miles," the chorus sang for him. Another character sang "The Little Grey House," while Absalom sang "Lost in the Stars." When Stephen joined in partway through "Lost in the Stars," his part was sung by the Chorus Leader. "O Tixo, Tixo, Help Me" was cut altogether.
Galati did a completely new adaptation of the novel, using little or perhaps none of Anderson's dialogue.
According to the New York Times, because of these changes the Weill estate requested that a flier with an apology be included in the playbill, along with a suggestion that audience members "who wish to experience the power and full range of the original score" consider purchasing the recently issued recording of the complete score, conducted by Julius Rudel, which was available in the theatre's gift shop.
The Anderson estate authorized the changes, but only for the Chicago run, with the further stipulation that the production not be widely publicized.