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First Wives Club (musical)

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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 The Old Globe Theater, San Diego, California 2015 Chicago Tryout

First Wives Club is a musical with a book by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and 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 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 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] Originating producers, Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert, teamed with Elizabeth Williams and John Frost, and brought on Simon Phillips to direct.[11] A new book was written by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.[12]

Musical Numbers

References

  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", 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. ^ "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. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam. " 'The First Wives Club Musical' Confirms 2015 Chicago Pre-Broadway Premiere", playbill.com, June 30, 2014
  12. ^ Jones, Chris. "Not so sweet revenge in pre-Broadway First Wives Club", Chicago Tribune, March 12, 2015
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