First Wives Club (musical): Difference between revisions
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|book=[[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]] |
|book=[[Linda Bloodworth-Thomason]] |
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|basis= 1996 film ''[[The First Wives Club]]'' |
|basis= 1996 film ''[[The First Wives Club]]'' |
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|productions= |
|productions= 2009 The [[Old Globe Theater]], [[San Diego, California]] |
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2015 Chicago Tryout |
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==Productions== |
==Productions== |
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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> |
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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. |
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Producers announced November 11, 2009, that Francesca Zambello withdrew as director, and they would secure a new director prior to any Broadway run. |
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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> |
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Revision as of 19:23, 6 April 2015
| First Wives Club | |
|---|---|
| Music | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, & Eddie Holland |
| Lyrics | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, & Eddie Holland |
| Book | Linda Bloodworth-Thomason |
| Basis | 1996 film The First Wives Club |
| Productions | 2009 The Old Globe Theater, San Diego, California 2015 Chicago Tryout |
The First Wives is a musical with a book by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and music and lyrics byBrian Holland, Lamont Dozier, & Eddie Holland. The musical is based on the 1996 movie of the same name The musical had its world premiere in 2009 in San Diego and premiered reworked in Chicago in 2015.
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,[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 5 week run.[citation needed] The ticket demand was so strong early on that the show's run was extended an extra week prior to its opening night.
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.[10]
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. Musical First Wives Club Will Now Convene July 17 Toward July 31 Opening. Playbill.com,June 1, 2009
- ^ Hebert, James. "Globe to be first to stage musical First Wives Club", The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 5, 2008
- ^ Jones, Kenneth."First Wives Club Musical Will Premiere in San Diego in 2009; Zambello Directs", playbill.com, September 5, 2008
- ^ Simonson, Robert."Rupert Holmes to Pen Book for First Wives Club Musical", playbill.com, May 26, 2006
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Lenox, Carmello, Gasteyer, Oscar, Dossett, Harris and More Sing First Wives Club in NYC", playbill.com, January 27, 2009
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Ziemba, Lenox and Walsh to Star in Old Globe's First Wives Club". Playbill.com, May 15, 2009
- ^ "Tell Us, Miss Jones: Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Be Part of First Wives Club", playbill.com, June 16, 2009
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. First Wives Club – The Musical Convenes July 17 at Old Globe playbill.com,July 17, 2009
- ^ Critics have issues with 'First Wives'. Variety, August 3, 2009
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. " 'The First Wives Club Musical' Confirms 2015 Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere" playbill.com, June 30, 2014