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{{orphan|date=April 2015}}

{{Infobox Musical
{{Infobox Musical
|name=First Wives Club
|name=First Wives Club
⚫
|image= First Wives Club logo.png
⚫
|music=[[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], & [[Eddie Holland]]
|lyrics=[[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], & [[Eddie Holland]]
|music=[[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], [[Eddie Holland]]
⚫
|lyrics=[[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], [[Eddie Holland]]
|book=[[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]]
|book=[[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]]
|basis= 1996 film ''[[The First Wives Club]]''
|basis= 1996 film ''[[The First Wives Club]]''
|productions= 2009 The [[Old Globe Theater]], [[San Diego, California]]
|productions= 2009 [[San Diego]], California<br>2015 Chicago
2015 Chicago Tryout
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
|awards=
|awards=
}}
}}
⚫
'''''First Wives Club''''' is a [[Musical theater|musical]] with music and lyrics by [[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], and [[Eddie Holland]]. The musical is based on the 1996 movie of [[The First Wives Club|the same name]].


The musical premiered in [[San Diego]], California, in 2009, with a [[Musical theatre#Definitions|book]] by [[Rupert Holmes]]. A reworked version had a production in Chicago, in 2015, with a new [[Musical theatre#Definitions|book]] by [[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]].
⚫
'''''First Wives Club''''' is a [[Musical theater|musical]] with a [[Musical theatre#Introduction and definitions|book]] by [[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]] and music and lyrics by [[Brian Holland]], [[Lamont Dozier]], & [[Eddie Holland]]. The musical is based on the 1996 movie of [[The First Wives Club|the same name]] The musical had its world premiere in 2009 in San Diego and premiered reworked in Chicago in 2015.


==Productions==
==Productions==
The first production of the show opened at The [[Old Globe Theater]] in [[San Diego, California]] on July 17, 2009, in previews, through August 23, 2009,<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129771 Musical First Wives Club Will Now Convene July 17 Toward July 31 Opening]. Playbill.com, June 1, 2009</ref> prior to a projected [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] engagement. The book was by [[Rupert Holmes]], with a score by the "one-time only reunited" [[Holland-Dozier-Holland]] songwriting team from 1960s [[Motown Records|Motown]] [[soul music]] fame. [[Francesca Zambello]] directed the San Diego production.<ref>Hebert, James. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080905/news_1c05globe.html "Globe to be first to stage musical ''First Wives Club''"], ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', September 5, 2008</ref><ref>Jones, Kenneth.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121042.html "First Wives Club Musical Will Premiere in San Diego in 2009; Zambello Directs"], playbill.com, September 5, 2008</ref> The creators and Zambello were engaged for the project in 2006.<ref>Simonson, Robert.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/99901.html "Rupert Holmes to Pen Book for First Wives Club Musical"], playbill.com, May 26, 2006</ref> An industry reading of the musical was held in February 2009, with principals [[Ana Gasteyer]], [[Carolee Carmello]] and [[Adriane Lenox]].<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125672.html "Lenox, Carmello, Gasteyer, Oscar, Dossett, Harris and More Sing First Wives Club in NYC"], playbill.com, January 27, 2009</ref>
The first production of the show opened at The [[Old Globe Theater]] in [[San Diego]], California, on July 17, 2009, in previews, through August 23, 2009,<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [https://playbill.com/article/musical-first-wives-club-will-now-convene-july-17-toward-july-31-opening-com-161423 "Musical ''First Wives Club'' Will Now Convene July 17 Toward July 31 Opening"]. Playbill.com, June 1, 2009</ref> prior to a projected [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] engagement. The book was by [[Rupert Holmes]], with a score by the "one-time only reunited" [[Holland-Dozier-Holland]] songwriting team from 1960s [[Motown Records|Motown]] [[soul music]] fame. [[Francesca Zambello]] directed the San Diego production.<ref>Hebert, James. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080905/news_1c05globe.html "Globe to be first to stage musical ''First Wives Club''"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528130532/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080905/news_1c05globe.html |date=2009-05-28 }}, ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', September 5, 2008</ref><ref>Jones, Kenneth. [https://www.playbill.com/article/first-wives-club-musical-will-premiere-in-san-diego-in-2009-zambello-directs-com-153028 "''First Wives Club'' Musical Will Premiere in San Diego in 2009; Zambello Directs"], playbill.com, September 5, 2008</ref> The creators and Zambello were engaged for the project in 2006.<ref>[[Robert Simonson|Simonson, Robert]]. [https://www.playbill.com/article/rupert-holmes-to-pen-book-for-first-wives-club-musical-com-132794 "Rupert Holmes to Pen Book for ''First Wives Club'' Musical"], playbill.com, May 26, 2006</ref> An industry reading of the musical was held in February 2009, with principals [[Ana Gasteyer]], [[Carolee Carmello]] and [[Adriane Lenox]].<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [https://www.playbill.com/article/lenox-carmello-gasteyer-oscar-dossett-harris-and-more-sing-first-wives-club-in-nyc-com-157397 "Lenox, Carmello, Gasteyer, Oscar, Dossett, Harris and More Sing ''First Wives Club'' in NYC"], playbill.com, January 27, 2009</ref>


The principal cast in the San Diego production originally included [[Karen Ziemba]] as Annie, [[Adriane Lenox]] as Elise, [[Barbara Walsh]] as Brenda, [[John Dossett]] as Aaron, Kevyn Morrow as Bill, [[Brad Oscar]] as Morty, Sara Chase as Trophy Wife, and [[Sam Harris (singer)|Sam Harris]] as Duane. Lisa Stevens choreographed, with scenic design by Peter J. Davison and costumes by Paul Tazewell.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/129292 "Ziemba, Lenox and Walsh to Star in Old Globe's First Wives Club"]. Playbill.com, May 15, 2009</ref> On June 16, 2009, Lenox dropped out of the production due to health concerns and was replaced by [[Sheryl Lee Ralph]].<ref>[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130293-Tell_Us_Miss_Jones_Sheryl_Lee_Ralph_Will_Be_Part_of_First_Wives_Club "Tell Us, Miss Jones: Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Be Part of First Wives Club"], playbill.com, June 16, 2009</ref><ref>Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131172 First Wives Club – The Musical Convenes July 17 at Old Globe] playbill.com, July 17, 2009</ref> The production's tryout received mixed to negative reviews,<ref>[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006835.html Critics have issues with 'First Wives']. ''Variety'', August 3, 2009</ref> but the production sold approximately 29,000 tickets in its 5-week run.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} The ticket demand was so strong early on that the show's run was extended an extra week prior to its opening night.
The principal cast in the San Diego production originally included [[Karen Ziemba]] as Annie, [[Adriane Lenox]] as Elise, [[Barbara Walsh]] as Brenda, [[John Dossett]] as Aaron, Kevyn Morrow as Bill, [[Brad Oscar]] as Morty, Sara Chase as Trophy Wife, and [[Sam Harris (singer)|Sam Harris]] as Duane. Lisa Stevens choreographed, with scenic design by Peter J. Davison and costumes by Paul Tazewell.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [https://www.playbill.com/article/ziemba-lenox-and-walsh-to-star-in-old-globes-first-wives-club-com-160954 "Ziemba, Lenox and Walsh to Star in Old Globe's ''First Wives Club''"]. Playbill.com, May 15, 2009</ref> On June 16, 2009, Lenox dropped out of the production due to health concerns and was replaced by [[Sheryl Lee Ralph]].<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [https://www.playbill.com/article/tell-us-miss-jones-sheryl-lee-ralph-will-be-part-of-first-wives-club-com-161937 "Tell Us, Miss Jones: Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Be Part of ''First Wives Club''"], playbill.com, June 16, 2009</ref><ref>Jones, Kenneth. [https://www.playbill.com/article/first-wives-club-the-musical-convenes-july-17-at-old-globe-com-162787 "''First Wives Club – The Musical'' Convenes July 17 at Old Globe"] playbill.com, July 17, 2009</ref> The production's tryout received mixed to negative reviews,<ref>Vaughan, Carson. [https://variety.com/2009/film/news/critics-have-issues-with-first-wives-1118006835/ "Critics have issues with 'First Wives'"]. ''Variety'', August 3, 2009</ref> but the production sold approximately 29,000 tickets in its five-week run.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}


The musical was reworked and opened in Chicago in March 2015 at the [[Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre|Oriental Theatre]] with a book re-written by [[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]] of ''[[Designing Women]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/first-wives-club-review-musical-chicago-1201450770/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Pre-Broadway Review: 'First Wives Club,' The Musical|date=March 12, 2015|author=Oxman, Steven|access-date=June 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>Jones, Chris. [https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-first-wives-club-review-20150312-column.html "Not so sweet revenge in pre-Broadway ''First Wives Club''"], ''Chicago Tribune'', March 12, 2015</ref> Originating producers, Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert, teamed with Elizabeth Williams and John Frost, and brought on [[Simon Phillips (director)|Simon Phillips]] to direct.<ref>Hetrick, Adam. [https://www.playbill.com/article/the-first-wives-club-musical-confirms-2015-chicago-pre-broadway-premiere-com-323071 "''The First Wives Club'' Musical Confirms 2015 Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere"], playbill.com, June 30, 2014</ref>
Producers announced November 11, 2009, that Francesca Zambello withdrew as director, and they would secure a new director prior to any Broadway run.

The originating producers, Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert, teamed with Elizabeth Williams and John Frost, and have since brought on Simon Phillips to direct.<ref>Hetrick, Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/the-first-wives-club-musical-nconfirms-2015-chicago-pre-broadway-premiere-323071 " 'The First Wives Club Musical' Confirms 2015 Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere"] playbill.com, June 30, 2014</ref>


==Musical Numbers==
==Musical Numbers==
Line 28: Line 25:
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
; Act I
; Act I
⚫
* "Stop in the Name of Love" – Elise, Cynthia
Cynthia's Apartment
⚫
* "Reach Out" – Young Cynthia, Brenda, Annie, and Elise
⚫
* "Stop in the Name of Love" - Elise, Cynthia
⚫
* "Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" – Young Girl, Bill, Aaron, and Morty
Flashback to Sarah Lawrence Dorm Room and other locations
* "Reach Out" - Young Cynthia, Brenda, Annie, and Elise
* "Forever Came Today" – Young Husbands and Wives
⚫
* "Forever Came Today" (reprise) – Cynthia
⚫
* "Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" - Young Girl, Bill, Aaron, and Morty
* "Forever Came Today" - Young Husbands and Wives
Cynthia's Apartment
⚫
* "Forever Came Today (Reprise)" - Cynthia
Elise's Penthouse
* "I'm So Lucky" - Annie, Brenda, Elise
* "I'm So Lucky" - Annie, Brenda, Elise
⚫
* "I'm Not That Kind of Girl" – Cassandra and the Boys
Bill's Loft/Studio
* "Stir It Up" – Dr. Leslie Rosen
⚫
* "I'm Not That Kind of Girl" - Cassandra and the Boys
* "My Heart Want to Try One More Time" – Brenda
Dr. Rosen's Office
* "Stir It Up" - Dr. Leslie Rosen
* "Stir It Up" (reprise) – Club Singers
⚫
* "Whirlpool of Emotions" – Annie
Designer Boutique
* "My Heart Want to Try One More Time" - Brenda
* "My World Is Empty Without You" – Cynthia, Brenda, Annie, and Elise
⚫
* "Shoulder to Shoulder" – Annie, Elise, and Brenda
Rooftop Supper Club
* "Stir It Up (Reprise)" - Club Singers
Hotel Room
⚫
* "Whirlpool of Emotions" - Annie
Brenda's House
⚫
* "My World Is Empty Without You" - Cynthia, Brenda, Annie, and Elise
⚫
* "Should to Shoulder" - Annie, Elise, and Brenda


{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
; Act II
; Act II
⚫
* "Morty Is the Best" – Morty, Shelley, Ensemble
Sound Stage
⚫
* "I'm So Lucky" (several reprises) – various
⚫
* "Morty Is the Best" - Morty, Shelley, Ensemble
* "I Am Duarto" – Duane
Aaron's Office
⚫
* "One Sweet Moment" – Elise, Brenda, Annie, Aaron, Bill, and Morty
⚫
* "I'm So Lucky (Reprise)" - Aaron
⚫
* "Remember Jerusalem" – Jason, Ensemble
Bill's Loft
⚫
* "Payback's a Bitch" – Brenda, Elise, Annie, Duane, Shelley, Ensemble
* "I'm so Lucky (Reprise)" - Bill
* "Old Me New Me (Part 1) " – Bill
Morty and Shelley's Duplex
* "I'm So Lucky (Reprise)" - Morty
* "Old Me New Me (Part 2)" – Aaron
* "I Am Duarto" - Duane
* "Old Me New Me (Part 3)" – Morty
⚫
* "Finale" – Elise, Annie, Brenda, Ensemble
Elise's Penthouse
⚫
* "One Sweet Moment" - Elise, Brenda, Annie, Aaron, Bill, and Morty
Bar Mitzvah Hall
⚫
* "Remember Jerusalem" - Jason, Ensemble
Sotheby's
⚫
* "Payback's a Bitch" - Brenda, Elise, Annie, Duane, Shelley, Ensemble
Bill's Loft
* "Old Me New Me (Part 1) " - Bill
Aaron's Office
* Old Me New Me (Part 2)" - Aaron
Madman Morty's Warehouse
* "Old Me New Me (Part 3)" - Morty
⚫
The First Wives Club
⚫
* "Finale" - Elise, Annie, Brenda, Ensemble
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2009 musicals]]
[[Category:Musicals based on films]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 19 March 2023

First Wives Club
MusicBrian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland
LyricsBrian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland
BookLinda Bloodworth-Thomason
Basis1996 film The First Wives Club
Productions2009 San Diego, California
2015 Chicago

First Wives Club is a musical with music and lyrics by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. The musical is based on the 1996 movie of the same name.

The musical premiered in San Diego, California, in 2009, with a book by Rupert Holmes. A reworked version had a production in Chicago, in 2015, with a new book by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.

Productions

[edit]

The first production of the show opened at The Old Globe Theater in San Diego, California, on July 17, 2009, in previews, through August 23, 2009,[1] prior to a projected Broadway engagement. The book was by Rupert Holmes, with a score by the "one-time only reunited" Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team from 1960s Motown soul music fame. Francesca Zambello directed the San Diego production.[2][3] The creators and Zambello were engaged for the project in 2006.[4] An industry reading of the musical was held in February 2009, with principals Ana Gasteyer, Carolee Carmello and Adriane Lenox.[5]

The principal cast in the San Diego production originally included Karen Ziemba as Annie, Adriane Lenox as Elise, Barbara Walsh as Brenda, John Dossett as Aaron, Kevyn Morrow as Bill, Brad Oscar as Morty, Sara Chase as Trophy Wife, and Sam Harris as Duane. Lisa Stevens choreographed, with scenic design by Peter J. Davison and costumes by Paul Tazewell.[6] On June 16, 2009, Lenox dropped out of the production due to health concerns and was replaced by Sheryl Lee Ralph.[7][8] The production's tryout received mixed to negative reviews,[9] but the production sold approximately 29,000 tickets in its five-week run.[citation needed]

The musical was reworked and opened in Chicago in March 2015 at the Oriental Theatre with a book re-written by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason of Designing Women.[10][11] Originating producers, Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert, teamed with Elizabeth Williams and John Frost, and brought on Simon Phillips to direct.[12]

Musical Numbers

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Musical First Wives Club Will Now Convene July 17 Toward July 31 Opening". Playbill.com, June 1, 2009
  2. ^ Hebert, James. "Globe to be first to stage musical First Wives Club" Archived 2009-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 5, 2008
  3. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "First Wives Club Musical Will Premiere in San Diego in 2009; Zambello Directs", playbill.com, September 5, 2008
  4. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Rupert Holmes to Pen Book for First Wives Club Musical", playbill.com, May 26, 2006
  5. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Lenox, Carmello, Gasteyer, Oscar, Dossett, Harris and More Sing First Wives Club in NYC", playbill.com, January 27, 2009
  6. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Ziemba, Lenox and Walsh to Star in Old Globe's First Wives Club". Playbill.com, May 15, 2009
  7. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Tell Us, Miss Jones: Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Be Part of First Wives Club", playbill.com, June 16, 2009
  8. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "First Wives Club – The Musical Convenes July 17 at Old Globe" playbill.com, July 17, 2009
  9. ^ Vaughan, Carson. "Critics have issues with 'First Wives'". Variety, August 3, 2009
  10. ^ Oxman, Steven (March 12, 2015). "Pre-Broadway Review: 'First Wives Club,' The Musical". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Jones, Chris. "Not so sweet revenge in pre-Broadway First Wives Club", Chicago Tribune, March 12, 2015
  12. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "The First Wives Club Musical Confirms 2015 Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere", playbill.com, June 30, 2014
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