Category Archives: W

Musicals staring with letter W

Waitress

Waitress is the smash-hit, new Broadway musical, written by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress follows Jenna, who works in a diner and bakes pies that reflect her life and emotions. Featuring a folk-inspired score that has been praised by audiences and critics alike, Waitress has taken Broadway by storm. With songs such as “What’s Inside”, “Bad Idea” and “She Used to Be Mine”, the musical stars Jessie Mueller in the lead role, after she previously starred as Carole King in Beautiful. When Jenna realises that she is pregnant with her controlling husband’s baby, she quickly realises that she needs a way out. Meeting her new physician, Dr Pomatter, Jenna begins to think that life might just be better than it seems.

Waitress_Playbill

Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles

Jessie Nelson

Adrienne Shelly's 2007 film

Adrienne Shelly

Barry and Fran Weissler, Norton and Elayne Herrick

Diane Paulus

Lorin Latarro

Productions
Waitress_Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Brooks Atkinson Theatre - Opened 24 Apr 2016, closed 11 Jun 2017

Cast: Jessie Mueller (Jenna Hunterson), Drew Gehling (Dr Jim Pomatter), Nick Cordero (Earl Hunterson), Keala Settle (Becky), Kimiko Glenn (Dawn), Dakin Matthews (Joe), Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie), Eric Anderson (Cal), Claire Keane and McKenna Keane (Lulu) Replacements: Jenna Ushkowitz (Dawn)



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Sara Bareilles’ colourful new musical Waitress, based on the 2007 film of the same name, makes a smash-hit on Broadway.

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Based on Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 film of the same name, Waitress follows Jenna, a waitress working in Joe’s Pie Diner in southern America. Trapped in a controlling marriage with husband Earl, she lives her life baking and selling pies with unusual titles. Jenna dreams of running away from her marriage, slowly gathering up the money to do so. Pinning her hopes of winning a large sum on the annual pie contest in a nearby town, she begins to dream big. Quickly her dreams are dashed when she discovers that she is pregnant with her husband’s baby.

With Jenna’s only friends being co-waitresses Becky, Dawn and regular customer Joe, her life changes when she meets her new physician Dr Jim Pomatter. Dr Pomatter has moved to the new town to accommodate his wife, who is completing her residency at the local hospital. Instantly, the pair are attracted to each other, and over the course of pre-natal appointments, Jenna and Dr Pomatter develop an attraction towards each other. On an unlikely evening, Jenna initiates an affair. When she is given a journal, Jenna begins to document her life and begins to reveal her thoughts through baking some increasingly peculiarly-named pies.

Meanwhile, after some persuasion, her fellow waitresses decide to embark upon romance themselves. Dawn meets Ogie, who both become so smitten with each other that they almost immediately vow eternal devotion. And whilst Becky’s marriage is not entirely fulfilling, due to her much older husband being very ill, her endless disputes with Joe’s Diner’s manager Cal lead to a more interesting romance of her own.

After Jenna gives birth to her baby girl, she gains the courage to leave her husband and begins to believe in herself a bit more. When leaving the hospital, Dr Pomatter chases after her, but she decides to end that too. She begins to serve brightly-coloured pies to her customers at a new diner where she works.

Songs

Act I

  • “What’s Inside” – Jenna and Company
  • “Opening Up” – Jenna, Becky, Dawn, Cal and Company
  • “The Negative” – Jenna, Becky and Dawn
  • “What Baking Can Do” – Jenna
  • “Club Knocked Up” – Jenna and Company
  • “Pomatter Pie” – The Waitress Band
  • “When He Sees Me” – Dawn and Company
  • “It Only Takes a Taste” – Dr Pomatter and Jenna
  • “You Will Still Be Mine” – Earl and Jenna
  • “A Soft Place to Land” – Jenna, Becky and Dawn
  • “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” – Ogie and Company
  • “Bad Idea” – Jenna, Dr Pomatter and Company

Act II

  • “I Didn’t Plan It” – Becky
  • “Bad Idea (Reprise)” – Company
  • “You Matter to Me” – Dr Pomatter and Jenna
  • “I Love You Like a Table” – Ogie, Dawn and Company
  • “Take It From an Old Man” – Joe and Company
  • “Dear Baby” – Jenna
  • “She Used to Be Mine” – Jenna
  • “Contraction Ballet” – Jenna and Company
  • “Everything Changes” – Jenna and Company
  • “Opening Up (Finale)” – Company
Awards

2016 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Christopher Fitzgerald)

2016 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards: Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Christopher Fitzgerald)

The Wild Party

The Wild Party was one of two musicals of the same name to open in the 2000 Broadway season. Whereas LaChiusa’s production opened on Broadway, the Andrew Lippa version opened off Broadway. Both use the same source content of the 1928 Joseph Moncure March narrative poem. The show is told in vaudeville style comprising a small number of vignettes which come together to tell an overall story. Each thread slowly comes together and develops into an orgy followed by a tragedy. The original Broadway production had an all star cast which saw Eartha Kitt return to the stage. The music is set within the 1920s style, using the typical conventions of musical theatre. Despite the show’s lack of popular appeal it is regularly performed by regional, stock and amateur companies in both the UK and USA.

The Wild Party La Chiusa Original Playbill

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe

the poem by Joseph Moncure March

The Joseph Papp Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival

George C. Wolfe

Joey McKneely

Productions
The Wild Party Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Virginia Theatre - Opened 13 Apr 2000, closed 11 Jun 2000, 68 performances

Cast: Toni Collette, Mandy Patinkin, Yancey Arias, Eartha Kitt, Marc Kudisch, Tonya Pinkins, Norm Lewis



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Synopsis

In 1920’s Manhattan, Vaudevillian star Queenie plans to host a party, in part so she can humiliate her abusive lover, Burrs. She invites a long list of their eccentric friends, including ageing star Dolores, a bisexual playboy named Jackie, black boxer Eddie and his white wife Mae, Mae’s underaged siste, Nadine, Oscar and Phil D’Armano, gay brothers who are also a couple, lesbian stripper Madelaine and her morphine-addict girlfriend Sally.

Queenie’s rival Kate arrives with her boyfriend Black. Kate has her eye on Burrs and tries to seduce him before the night is through. Meanwhile, Queenie sets her sights on Black and plans to bed him before the night is through. Burrs notices Queenie’s wandering eye and becomes enraged. Amidst cocaine and cocktails, the party descends into a hedonistic orgy before Burrs confronts Queenie and Bank with a loaded gun. Queenie realises that she actually loves Burrs and they are briefly reunited, before Bank grabs the gun and shoots Burrs dead.

Songs
  • Queenie was a Blonde/Marie is Tricky/Wild Party – Queenie, Burrs, Company
  • Dry – Burrs, Jackie, Madelaine, Sally, Eddie, Mae, Nadine, Brothers D’Armano, Dolores
  • My Beautiful Blonde – Brothers D’Armano
  • Welcome to my Party – Queenie
  • Like Sally – Madelaine
  • Breezin’ Through Another Day – Jackie
  • Uptown – Brothers D’Armano
  • Eddie & Mae – Eddie, Mae
  • Gold & Goldberg – Gold, Goldberg
  • Moving Uptown – Dolores
  • Black Bottom – Queenie, Company
  • Best Friend – Queenie, Kate
  • A Little M-M-M – Brothers D’Armano
  • Tabu/Taking Care of the Ladies – Oscar, Black, Company
  • Wouldn’t It Be Nice? – Burrs
  • Lowdown-Down – Queenie
  • Gin – Burrs, Company
  • Wild – Company
  • Need – Madelaine, Company
  • Black Is a Moocher – Kate
  • People Like Us – Queenie, Black
  • After Midnight Dies – Sally
  • Golden Boy – Eddie, Brothers D’Armano
  • The Movin’ Uptown Blues – Gold, Goldberg
  • The Lights of Broadway – Nadine
  • More – Jackie
  • Love Ain’t Nothin’/Welcome to Her Party/What I Need – Kate, Burrs, Queenie
  • How Many Women in the World? – Burrs
  • When It Ends – Dolores
  • This is What It Is – Queenie
  • Finale – Queenie, Burrs, Company
Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

Wicked

Wicked is one of the biggest musicals of recent years. After a lengthy tryout period around the USA, the show opened on Broadway in late 2003. The show continues to play to packed houses in both New York and London, where it has set many records for box office gross receipts. Despite its success, the show did not win either the Tony Award or Olivier Award for Best Musical, but has won dozens of awards voted for by members of the public. The show has developed a number of dedicated fans around the world, and many people see it over and over again. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, the show acts as a prequel to the famous ‘Wizard of Oz’, developing the story to look at it from the perspective of the Witches. Stephen Schwartz’s score has become one of his most popular, and the songs have been released in the charts as well as featured on numerous TV shows and films. Although Universal Pictures own the rights to the film version, no official announcement has been made about a big screen adaptation, although many fans hope it will be in the near future.

Wicked 200x300

Stephen Schwartz

Stephen Schwartz

Winnie Holzman

”Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West ” by Gregory Maguire

Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt

Joe Mantello

Wayne Cilento

Productions
Wicked Gershwin 2003

Original Broadway Production

George Gershwin Theatre - Opened 30 Oct 2003, closed 1 Sep 2013

Cast: Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Nobert Leo Butz, Michelle Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald, Joel Grey, Carole Shelley.

Wicked Apollo Victoria 2006

Original London Production

Apollo Victoria London - Opened 27 Sep 2006, closed 2 Nov 2013



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Synopsis

The show begins as the citizens of the magical land of Oz are celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda arrives and confirms that the witch has indeed melted. One of the crowd asks Glinda if she knew the Witch and she hesitantly launches into a story that explains her conception through an affair between a Munchkin Lady and a mysterious stranger who courts her with a bottle of green elixir. Glinda tells the crowd to try and sympathise with her fate and begins a flashback that tells the events of how she and Elphaba, the Witch, met.

Glinda takes us back to Shiz University where Elphaba sticks out amongst her fellow classmates for being green. She is instantly judged and disliked by many and she looks after her sister Nessarose who is in a wheelchair. Galinda (as she was known at college) is shallow yet popular with her classmates for her looks and status. Elphaba and Galinda are roomed together through an admin error and the two instantly despise one another. Madame Morrible, headmistress of Shiz notices Elphaba’s innate talent for sorcery and tells he she will be going to meet the Wizard of Oz to study with him. In a history class led by Dr Dillamond, a Goat professor, the class learn about the anti-animal feelings being broadcast around Oz and the class is brought to a swift end when some anit-animal graffiti is found on the chalkboard. Elphaba tries to talk to Dr Dillamond about the changes and he tells her that something has happened to cause the animals in Oz to loose their power of speech. Elphaba listens to his concerns and promises to voice them to the Wizard when they begin to work together.

Meanwhile the school welcomes the arrival of Winkie Prince Fiyero who encourages the students to conform to his mindless and blasé student lifestyle. He is ready for the student dance, and a shy Munchkin named Boq invites Galinda to go with him. She refuses, and asks him to ask Nessarose instead, which he does. Elphaba is greatful to Galinda who gives her a mock gift of a black pointed hat, telling her that ‘black is this year’s pink’. Without realising her real motives, Elphaba asks Morrible if Galinda can accompany her to meet the Wizard, as it is her life long dream. At the dance, Elphaba is ridiculed until Galinda takes pity on her and joins her in dancing, bringing the pair together.

Galinda tries to give Elphaba a make over and teaches her about how to become ‘Popular’. The class are shocked to find that Dr Dillamond has been arrested and replaced by a new history teacher who keeps a lion cub in a cage. He tells them that all animals will eventually be dumbed down and silenced, which angers Elphaba who steals it and sets it free. Elphaba begins to fall in love with Fiyero but realises that she isn’t meant for him. Morrible finds her to tell her that she has been invited for an audience with The Wizard.

Galinda tries to impress Fiyero by changing her name to Glinda in memory of Dr Dillamond, which is the way he used to pronounce her name. Fiyero ignores her and Elphaba feels sorry for her and brings her along to discover the joys of the Emerald City. After meeting the Wizard Elphaba realises that he is a normal man after he tests her and makes her transform his pet monkey into a flying monkey using an ancient book of spells. They trick her into transforming a whole cage of monkeys into flying monkeys and Elphaba is furious, realising that the Wizard of Madame Morrible are behind the animal cruelty in Oz. She runs off with the spell book and enchants a broom to make it fly. Glinda tries to stop her and bring her back down to earth, but the girls decide they must go separate ways in order to fulfil their own dreams. As the Ozians try to capture her, Elphaba soars above them, ‘defying gravity’.

Months later and Morrible has made Oz turn against Elphaba, branding her as The Wicked Witch of the West. She uses her role as press secretary to spread rumours about her powers and potential dangers to the community. Glinda is used as a figurehead for the public as the Wizard’s assistant but Fiyero becomes increasingly tired of her. Elphaba travels to her hometown where her sister Nessarose is now Governor after their father died of shame. Nessa is upset that Elphaba hasn’t used her powers to help her, so she transforms some jewelled ruby slippers that help her walk. Boq is furious with her saying she is as wicked as her sister is, and Nessa tries to put a spell on him which takes away his heart. He calls her the Wicked Witch of the East as Elphaba tries to save him and turns him into a Tin Man. She leaves Nessarose and Boq flees, convinced that it was Elphaba who turned him into a Tin Man on purpose.

Elphaba returns to the Wizard to try and set the flying monkeys free. The Wizard confesses that he has no special powers and still managed to make people think he was the ‘wonderful’ Wizard of Oz. He tries to get her to join him, but she noticed Dr Dillamond locked in a cage and runs away, joined by Fiyero. Glinda realises she has been betrayed and is upset, leading her to plan a trap to get her back. Morrible creates a cyclone that brings Dorothy’s house to Oz, landing on Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East. Fiyero and Elphaba, now in exile, express their love for one another. Elphaba senses danger and flies to meet Glinda who has sent Dorothy and Toto off to Oz to see the Wizard. Fiyero is captured and dragged to a cornfield and tortured by palace guards as Elphaba tries any spell to try and save him. She manages to turn him into a Scarecrow so that they cannot physically hurt him. She begins to think it would be easier to accept her ‘wicked’ reputation.

The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion (the Lion Elphaba freed from class) are sent to hunt down the Wicked Witch of the West. Elphaba captures Dorothy in her tower and forces her to give her the slippers she made for her sister. Glinda tries to convince her to let Dorothy go and they hatch a plan, admitting that they have both made mistakes. Elphaba promises to leave Oz if Glinda clears her name, and she gives her the spell book in order to do good. They admit that they are glad they knew each other and that they have become the best of friends. They stage a plan to pretend that she is dead as Dorothy throws a bucket of water over her and she melts. All that remains is the black hat and a vial of green elixir. The Wizard recognises it as one of his own vials and realises that Elphaba was indeed his biological daughter. He is forced to leave Oz in his balloon, and Morrible is sent to prison as Glinda clears Elphaba’s name, returning to the opening scene as she confronts the citizens of Oz.

Finally we learn that Fiyero who is now a Scarecrow staged the melting scene and he and Elphaba escape together as Glinda looks on.

Songs

Act I

  • “No One Mourns the Wicked” – Glinda and Citizens of Oz
  • “Dear Old Shiz” – Students and Glinda
  • “The Wizard and I” – Madame Morrible and Elphaba
  • “What is this Feeling?” – Glinda, Elphaba and Students
  • “Something Bad” – Doctor Dillamond and Elphaba
  • “Dancing Through Life” – Fiyero, Glinda, Boq, Nessarose, Elphaba and Students
  • “Popular” – Glinda
  • “I’m Not That Girl” – Elphaba
  • “One Short Day” – Elphaba, Glinda and Citizens of the Emerald City
  • “A Sentimental Man” – The Wizard
  • “Defying Gravity” – Glinda, Elphaba, Guards and Citizens of Oz
Act II
  • No One Mourns the Wicked” (reprise) – Citizens of Oz
  • “Thank Goodness” – Glinda, Madame Morrible and Citizens of Oz
  • “The Wicked Witch of the East” – Elphaba, Nessarose and Boq
  • “Wonderful” – The Wizard and Elphaba
  • “I’m Not That Girl” (reprise) – Glinda
  • “As Long as You’re Mine” – Elphaba and Fiyero
  • “No Good Deed” – Elphaba
  • “March of the Witch Hunters” – Boq and Citizens of Oz
  • “For Good” – Glinda and Elphaba
  • “Finale” – All
Awards

2004 Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Musical (Idina Menzel), Best Costume Design, Best Scenic Design

2010 Olivier Awards: Most Popular Show

 

 

The Woman in White

The Woman in White is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that opened in the West End in 2004. Based on the Victorian novel of the same name by Wilkie Collins, the show featured lyrics by David Zippel with a book by Charlotte Jones. The original production featured a set made up mainly of projections and was one of the first shows to use 3D technology which was criticised by many reviewers. The musical features a small chamber cast, which was initially led by Maria Friedman and Michael Crawford, who suffered under the constrains of his costume and had to be replaced by Michael Ball, four months into the run. The show opened on Broadway where it flopped, and is yet to be seen again.

The Woman in White

Andrew Lloyd Webber

David Zippel

Charlotte Jones

the Wilkie Collins novel

Sonia Friedman Productions Ltd. and The Really Useful Theatre Company Ltd.

Trevor Nunn

Wayne McGregor

Productions
The Woman in White London

Original London Production

Palace Theatre - Opened 15 Sep 2004, closed 25 Feb 2006, 500 performances

Cast: Maria Friedman, Michael Crawford, Martin Crewes, Kill Paice, Oliver Darley, Edward Petherbridge. (Michael Ball replaced Michael Crawford during the run)

The Woman in White Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Marquis Theatre - Opened 17 Nov 2005, closed 19 Feb 2006, 109 performances

Cast: Maria Friedman, Michael Ball, Angela Christian, Adam Brazier, Jill Paice, Ron Bohmer, Walter Charles.



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Unrequited love for a drawing teacher drives the uglier sister to protect her estate and family fortunes from Italian rogue and slimy Sir. 

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Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher, is on his way to Limmeridge House in the depths of the English countryside. At around midnight, he comes across a mysterious woman dressed all in white on the roadside who has an urgent secret that she needs to tell. She tells him she is escaping from someone, and in a years time there will be a death on the very railway line on which they are standing.

As Walter arrives at Limmeridge he meets his new students, Marian Halcombe and her prettier half sister Laura Fairlie. Laura is heir to the estate of Limmeridge, and Walter is instantly drawn to her. Whilst these feelings are shared by Laura, Marian also develops feelings for him and a love triangle develops. Walter tells the girls about the woman he witnessed on his way to the house. During a peasant festival, a small girl tells Hartright that she saw the ghost of a woman dressed all in white. She points to the graveyard, and whilst exploring he meets Anne Catherick who assures him that she is not a ghost. She warns him of Sir Percival Glyde, saying that is what he secret is all about.

Sir Percival Glyde arrives at Limmeridge, as Laura’s intended husband. They plan to move their wedding to the Christmas. Glyde’s best man is an Italian man named Count Fosco who is a large man, full of his own importance. He takes a liking to Marian. Walter questions Glyde about Anne Catherick and he tells him that she is a mad woman whom he tried to help, and she sees him as an enemy. Laura does not want to marry Glyde but Marian encourages her in order to honour her dying father and also leave Walter free for her. Walter is upset and leaves for London as Laura and Glyde are married.

The pair move into Glyde’s estate and Anne Catherick decides to travel to assist Laura in overcoming her husband. Laura begins to distrust Marian as it was her advice that led her to marrying an abusive and mean husband. She has now realised that he only wants her for her money in order to pay off his debts. Marian is heartbroken at the news and becomes determined to free Laura from her position.

Glyde presents Laura with a document that he wants her to sign but refuses to tell her what it contains. She is suspicious and asks about what it concerns. Glyde is furious with her although Fosco tries to calm the situation. The girls leave the estate for a walk and come across Anne Catherick. They are struck by how alike her and Laura are, and witness her being dragged off to the asylum. Marian and Laura become convinced that Glyde and Fosco are the villains that Anne speaks of.

Marian overhears Glyde and Fosco’s plans to take Limmeridge House from Laura along with their plans for Anne. That evening Marian suffers nightmares and is woken by screaming and shouting. Fosco tells her that Laura has fallen out of the window whilst sleep walking. Marian is distraught and at the funeral swears vengeance for her sister. She runs off to London to find Walter.

In London Walter is down on his luck and Marian finds him living in a run down house. He is initially angry with Marian for sending him away, but then decides he will help figure out the mystery of Anne. Fosco is pleased at how the plan is progressing but reprimands Glyde for spending more money on gambling. Walter suggests that Marian use her feminine charm against Fosco in order to find out where they are hiding Anne. She tries to seduce him, and whilst he leaves the room she finds the document with the location of Anne’s asylum. Fosco feels rejected saying that if she really were interested he would have proposed marriage.

Marian and Walter travel to the asylum to find Anne, but on arriving they find Laura in her place. Laura explains to them that Glyde locked Laura away, killing Anne and burying her in Laura’s grave. They help her escape and they all travel to Limmeridge to ask Laura’s father what he knows about Anne. Mr Fairlie has been convinced by Glyde to sign over the estate to him and he leaves on the next train. He then admits to Marian, Laura and Walter that Anne was in fact Laura’s half sister, hence why they look identical. They run to the train to try and stop Glyde.

At the station Laura dresses in white and pretends she is Anne to haunt Glyde. She discovers the secret that Glyde raped Anne and drowned their child in the lake. He tries to kill her to preserve his secret but is instead run over by a train. The prediction from a year ago has come true, and the dead lie on the tracks. Walter marries Laura and they take over Limmeridge House, leaving Marian heartbroken as the stonemason changes the name on Laura’s gravestone to Anne Catherick.

Songs

Act I 

  • Prologue
  • I Hope You Like It Here
  • Prespective
  • Trying Not To Notice
  • I Believe My Heart
  • Lammastide
  • You See I Am No Ghost
  • Gift For Living Well
  • Holly & The Ivy
  • All For Laura
  • Document
  • Act One Finale
Act II 
  • If I could Only Dream This World Away
  • Nightmare
  • Fosco Tells of Laura’s Death / The Funeral / London
  • Evermore Without You
  • Lost Souls
  • If Not For Me For Her
  • You Can Get Away With Anything
  • Seduction
  • Asylum
  • Back To Limmeridge
  • Finale
Awards

2005 Olivier Awards: Best Sound Design

Licensing

UK: R & H Theatricals

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

 

The Wiz

The Wiz is a musical adaptation of the classic Wizard of Oz story, based on the book by L. Frank Baum. Featuring music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F Brown, the show uses the context of African-American culture to shed a different light on the classic story. The original production featured an all-black cast and was one of the first mainstream Broadway musicals to do so. The show became popular on Broadway, and a film version was later created staring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Although this was a commercial and critical failure, it became a cult classic and allowed the musical to live on through to the next generation. The show has been revived numerous times although a full scale London production is yet to be produced.

The Wiz

Charlie Smalls

Charlie Smalls

William F. Brown

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Ken Harper

Geoffrey Holder

George Faison

Productions
The Wiz Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Majestic Theatre, The Broadway Theatre - Opened 5 Jan 1975, closed 28 Jan 1979, 1672 performances

Cast: Tiger Haynes, Ted Ross, Hinton Battle, Stephanie Mills, Clarice Taylor, Mabel King, Andre De Shields, Tasha Thomas & DeeDee Bridgewater

The Wiz Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre - Opened 24 May 1984, closed 3 Jun 1984



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Synopsis

Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas with her Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and dog, Toto, but she wants to see more of the world, despite her family’s protestations that she has everything she needs at home. An unexpected “Tornado” lifts the house with Dorothy and Toto inside it. The house lands in Oz, where Dorothy meets Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. Dorothy’s house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her and freeing the Munchkins who she had enslaved.

Dorothy wants to return home, and Addaperle advises that she visit the Wizard of Oz, as he will be the only person who could help (“He’s the Wizard”). She gives Dorothy the Wicked Witch’s silver shoes to protect her from danger, and advises her to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City where the Wizard lives. On the way she meets a scarecrow in search of a brain, a tin man who wants a heart, and a cowardly lion who lacks courage. Together, they “Ease on Down the Road” to ask the Wizard for help.

They finally see the Emerald City in the distance, but a field of poppies put Dorothy and the Lion to sleep. Not being mortals, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are unaffected and together with some Field Mice they move Dorothy and the Lion to safety. They arrive at the Emerald City and are forced to wear green-tinted glasses. The inhabitants are snooty and look down at the group until they spot Dorothy’s shoes and send them straight to the Wizard.

The Wizard appears in a variety of forms, each one more terrifying than the last (“So You Wanted to See the Wizard”). Dorothy and her friends ask him to grant their wishes, and he agrees only if they kill the Wicked Witch of the West, Evillene. The group feel the task is impossible, but nevertheless they set off in search of her. Evillene has enslaved the Wikies, and when she sees Dorothy and her companions are coming, she sends her winged “Funky Monkeys” to kill them. They pull the stuffing out of the Scarecrow and bash the Tin Man on rocks, but because of Dorothy’s shoes they do not dare to hurt her and bring her and the Lion to the Witch.

Evillene forces Dorothy to clean the castle, and begins torturing the Lion. Finally, Dorothy is fed up and throws a bucket of water at Evillene. To her surprise, the witch melts into nothing. The Winkies are ecstatic at being freed and repair the Tin Man and Scarecrow (“Everybody Rejoice”).

The group heads back to the Wizard, who says he won’t grant their wishes after all. The Lion is furious and tries to attack him. He accidentally knocks over a screen which reveals the Wizard is just an ordinary man. Everyone is furious, but the Wizard assures them that they have already shown the values they sought to possess in their adventure (“Believe in Yourself”). He agrees to fly Dorothy back home in his hot air balloon, but at the last moment the balloon gets loose, leaving Dorothy and Toto behind.

Addaperle reappears to advise Dorothy to seek Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who may be able to help her. Glinda is a powerful sorceress, but tells Dorothy she has always had the power to go home if she believed it (“If You Believe”). After saying goodbye to her new friends, she clicks her heels three times and returns “Home.”

Songs

Act I 

  • Prologue
  • Feeling We Once Had, The
  • Tornado
  • He’s The Wizard
  • Soon As I Get Home
  • I Was Born On The Day Before Yesterday
  • Ease On Down The Road
  • Slide Some Oil To Me
  • I’m A Mean Ole Lion
  • Be A Lion
  • So You Wanted To See The Wizard
  • What Would I Do If I Could Feel
Act II 
  • Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News
  • Everybody Rejoice
  • Y’All Got It!
  • If You Believe
  • Home (Finale)

Song list for the Movie Version

  • Universal Logo
  • Wiz
  • Home
  • Believe In Yourself
  • He’s The Wizard
  • Is This What Feeling Gets? – (Dorothy’s theme)
  • Home
  • Aunt Em
  • Feeling That We Have, The
  • Can I Go On?
  • Glinda’s Theme
  • He’s The Wizard
  • March Of The Munchkins
  • Soon As I Get Home
  • Home
  • You Can’t Win
  • Ease On Down The Road – (#1)
  • What Would I Do If I Could Feel?
  • Slide Some Oil To Me
  • Now Watch Me Dance
  • Ease On Down The Road – (#2)
  • Mean Ole Lion, (I’m A)
  • Ease On Down The Road
  • Poppy Girls
  • Home Medley:
  • Be A Lion
  • End Of The Yellow Brick Road
  • Green
  • Red
  • Gold
  • So You Wanted To See The Wizard
  • Sorry Phoney, A
  • Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy’s Theme)
  • Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News
  • Liberation Agitato
  • Brand New Day, A
  • Liberation Ballet
  • Dorothy’s Intro
  • Good Witch Glinda, The
  • Believe In Yourself (Reprise)
Awards

1975 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actress, Best Featured Actor, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design.

Licensing

UK: Samuel French

USA: Samuel French

 

 

Wonderful Town

Wonderful Town is one of Leonard Bernstein’s most impressive musical scores. Featuring a book by Joseph A Fields and Jerome Chodorov, the musical is based on the Chodorov’s 1940 play ‘My Sister Eileen’. Betty Comden and Adolph Green provided the lyrics to what became some of Bernstein’s most memorable standards such as ‘Ohio’, ‘Conga’ and ‘A Million Ways to Loose a Man’. The show received its Broadway debut in 1953 and went on to win five Tony Awards including the coveted Best Musical Award. The show transferred to London in 1955, but was more popular when it was revived at the Queen’s Theatre starring Maureen Lipman.

wonderful town

Leonard Bernstein

Betty Comden & Adolph Green

Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov

the book by Ruth McKenney

Robert Fryer

George Abbott

Donald Saddler

Productions
Wonderful Town Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Winter Garden Theatre - Opened 25 Feb 1953, closed 3 Jul 1954, 559 performances

Cast: Nathaniel Frey, Edith Adams, Cris Alexander, Albert Linville, Delbert Anderson, George Gaynes, Jordan Bentley, Rosalind Russell, Dort Clark, Ray Dorian, Warren Guljour,Robert Kole,Lee Papell and Chris Robinson.

Wonderful Town Original London

Original London Production

The Prince's Theatre - Opened 25 Feb 1955, closed 1 Jan 1970, 207 performances

Wonderful Town Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Al Hirschfeld Theatre - Opened 23 Nov 2003, closed 23 Jan 2005, 497 performances

Cast: Donna Murphy, Laura Benanti, Brooke Shields.



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Midwestern sisters head to the bright lights of the big apple in search of love and fortune but are greeted by prisons and nightclubs. 

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The show opens in summer 1935 in New York. A tour guide is taking a group of tourist around the city and introduces them to “Christopher Street” and the people who live there. Ruth and Eileen Sherwood arrive fresh from Ohio with dreams and aspirations of making a big life for themselves in the big city. Ruth is an aspiring writer and Eileen a budding actress. They move into a basement apartment with a lovable landlord Mr Appopolus. They soon become homesick for “Ohio”.

The pair have a go at “Conquering New York” but find disappointment on every corner. Eileen finds herself popular with the men of the city, which Ruth laments her ability to repel men, saying she may as well write a book called “One Hundred Easy Ways To Lose a Man”. Ruth bullies her way into a small office that deals with short story submissions and meets Bob Baker. He is negative towards her telling her “What A Waste” it was for her to come to the city. She leaves a selection of her work with him regardless, hoping that he will enjoy it later.

Eileen is “A Little Bit in Love” with Frank and invites him round to their apartment for dinner. Bob arrives looking for Ruth and he stays for dinner too. Their upstairs neighbour Wreck is an out of season American Football player and has to hide in their apartment as his live in lover’s mother is coming to town.

Eileen takes it upon herself to invite Frank, Bob and Chick Clark (a newspaper scribe) over for a potluck supper to help Ruth in her quest for a job. Both girls find themselves attracted to Bob and they struggle to all fill the awkward silences, (“Conversation Piece”). Bob discusses Ruth’s stories with her and he tells her to write from experience. This ends up with them saying the wrong thing and Ruth runs off in tears, leaving Bob to sing about his need to find “A Quiet Girl”. Ruth is set to cover a news story at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and teaches them to dance the “Conga”. They follow her home and Ruth yells at Bob before Eileen is arrested for causing a riot on Christopher Street.

In prison Eileen is talk of the town, as the Irish police officers are convinced she is one of them and sing “My Darlin Eileen” to her. Ruth visits her telling her that she will bail her out as soon as she can. She gets a new job as a promoter for a local nightclub ‘The Village Vortex’ and learns the rhythm of “Swing”.

Bob bails Eileen out and the sisters discover that their landlord is threatening to evict them due to the scandal caused by the Conga and one of his paintings going missing, that has been stolen by Wreck’s girlfriend Helen. The sisters learn that they are both attracted to Bob and they wish again that they had never left “Ohio”. Eileen’s infamy gets her a job singing at the Village Vortex nightclub, and they get to keep their apartment and have some money coming in. Bob quits his job and realises that “It’s Love” that he feels for Ruth.

Over at the Vortex the mood shifts to “Ballet at the Village Vortex” and Eileen has stage fright , convincing Ruth to sing the “Wrong Note Rag” with her onstage. Chick arrives and tells Ruth that his boss enjoyed her story on the Brazilian sailors and has given her a job with the paper. Bob decides to tell Ruth exactly how he feels as the curtain falls.

Songs

Act 1

  • Overture
  • Christopher Street—Tour Guide and The Villagers
  • Ohio–Ruth Sherwood and Eileen Sherwood
  • Conquering New York—Ruth, Eileen, First Cadet, Violet and The Villagers*
  • One Hundred Easy Ways—Ruth
  • What A Waste—Robert Baker and Associate Editors
  • A Little Bit in Love—Eileen
  • Pass the Football—Wreck and The Villagers
  • Conversation Piece—Ruth, Eileen, Frank Lippencott, Robert and Chick Clark*
  • A Quiet Girl—Robert
  • Conga—Ruth
Act II 
  • My Darlin’ Eileen—Eileen, Drunk and Policeman
  • Swing—Ruth and Villagers
  • Ohio (Reprise)–Ruth and Eileen
  • It’s Love—Robert and The Villagers
  • Ballet at the Village Vortex
  • Wrong Note Rag—Ruth, Eileen and The Villagers
  • It’s Love (Reprise)
Awards

1953 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Leading Actress, Best Choreographer, Best Musical Director, Best Scenic Design.

2004 Tony Awards: Best Choreographer (Kathleen Marshall)

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Side Story

West Side Story is one of the most famous musicals in the classical canon and is regularly performed all over the world. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet the musical boasts one of the most memorable scores ever written for the stage, with songs such as ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘America’ and ‘I Feel Pretty’ written by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Although the original 1957 production didn’t run for long, the success of the film adaptation helped cement the show into the American culture. Relocating the story to 1950s New York where two rival gangs The Sharks and The Jets battle for turf, star crossed lovers Maria and Tony meet ending in tragic circumstances. Arthur Laurents’ book provides a timeless adaptation, twinned with Jerome Robbins’ phenomenal dance numbers that makes this an incredible show.

West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein

Stephen Sondheim

Arthur Laurents

'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare

Jerome Robbins

Jerome Robbins

Productions
West Side Story Winter Garden 1957

Original Broadway Production

Winter Garden - Opened 26 Sep 1957, closed 1 Jan 1970, 732 performances

Cast: Larry Kert as Tony, Carol Lawrence as Maria, Chita Rivera as Anita and David Winters as Baby John.

West Side Story Her Majesty's 1958

Original London Production

Her Majesty's Theatre - Opened 12 Dec 1958, closed 1 Jun 1961

Cast: George Chakiris as Riff, Marlys Watters as Maria, Don McKay as Tony, and Chita Rivera reprising her Broadway role as Anita

West Side Story Minskoff 1980

First Broadway Revival

Minskoff Theatre - Opened 14 Feb 1980, closed 30 Nov 1980

Cast:  Ken Marshall as Tony, Hector Jamie Mercado as Bernardo, Josie de Guzman as Maria, and Debbie Allen as Anita

West Side Story Palace 2010

Second Broadway Revival

Palace Theatre - Opened 23 Feb 2009, closed 2 Jan 2011

Cast: Matt Cavenaugh as Tony, Josefina Scaglione as Maria and Karen Olivo as Anita.

West Side Story Sadlers Wells 2008

West Side Story - London Revival 2008

Sadler's Wells - Opened 7 Aug 2013, closed 22 Sep 2013



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Boy meets girl, boy’s gang hates girl’s gang, both sides rumble complete with aggressive ballet, judging siblings and quasi opera. 

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A danced Prologue sets up the turf warfare between the Sharks and the Jets in the upper west side of Manhattan. Riff, the leader of the Jets proclaims war, telling Bernardo, leader of the Sharks that they should watch their backs. Officer Krupke and Lieutenant Shrank warn both sides that they don’t want to see any more trouble. Riff attempts to convince Tony to rejoin the Jets, but he has moved on and is now working at Doc’s Drug Store waiting for something that he feels is just around the corner.

Bernardo’s sister Maria is preparing to attend her first dance with the help of Bernardo’s girlfriend Anita. She is excited at the prospect and is full of youthful optimism, and not so keen on her date Chino. At the Dance at the Gym both sides come to blows once more, but Tony and Maria meet across the floor, melting away into their own world. As they escape the gym, Tony sings ‘Maria’ and later goes to find her on her balcony where they fall instantly in love. Meanwhile the Sharks return from the dance and Anita and Rosalia sing of their differing opinions of ‘America’. At Doc’s store, the Jets keep ‘Cool’ and prepare to rumble with the Sharks. Tony visits Maria at the bridal shop where she works, and Anita grows suspicious of their relationship, warning Maria against causing trouble. The pair make a mock wedding ceremony and commit to ‘One Hand, One Heart’. Both gangs prepare to rumble under the highway, and as Riff and Bernardo fight, Riff is stabbed. Tony rushes in to break it up, and seeing his best friend lying dead, launches an attack on Bernardo and kills him.

Maria continues to walk on cloud nine, singing ‘I Feel Pretty’. She is interrupted by Chino, who tells her what has happened at the rumble. As Tony enters she is distraught and the pair wish to be taken to somewhere they can all be free. In a dream ballet sequence we see how they wish their lives to be, away from the fighting and the division. They spend the night together. Anita startles Maria, and Tony escapes just in time. Anita is furious, warning Maria about ‘A Boy Like That’, but Maria protests her love and convinces her that they should be together. Anita promises to help Maria and warns her that Chino has a gun and is looking to kill Tony. She goes to Doc’s drug-store to warn him, but is attacked by the Jet boys who attempt to rape her. She leaves angrily, telling Tony that Maria is already dead. Tony takes to the streets, and is shot by Chino. Maria makes it to him just in time and the pair reconcile. As he passes away Maria blames both sides, saying they were all responsible for his death, as the curtain silently falls.

Songs

Act I

  • Overture
  • Prologue
  • Jet Song
  • Something’s Coming
  • The Dance At The Gym (Part 1: Blues)
  • Part 2: Promenade/Mambo/Cha-Cha
  • Part 3: Meeting Scene
  • Part 4: Jump
  • Maria
  • Balcony Scene
  • America
  • Cool
  • Continuation of Scene
  • One Hand One Heart
  • Tonight
  • The Rumble

Act II 

  • I Feel Pretty
  • Ballet Sequence part 1 (Transition to Scherzo/scherzo/Somewhere)
  • Ballet conclusion (Procession and Nightmare)
  • Gee Officer Krupke
  • A Boy Like That/I Have A Love
  • Taunting Scene
  • Finale
Awards

1958 Tony Awards: Best Choreography (Jerome Robbins), Best Scenic Design (Oliver Smith)

1980 Drama Desk Award: Best Featured Actress (Debbie Allen)

2009 Grammy Award (Best Show Album)

2009 Tony Award: Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Karen Olivo)

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

 

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular movie-musicals ever made by MGM. Based on the book by L Frank Baum the show follows young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as they are swept away ‘over the rainbow’ to the magical world of Oz. Aided by a talking Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, Dorothy battles the Wicked Witch of the West in order to get home, whilst keeping hold of her Ruby Slippers. Numerous productions worldwide have failed to prove as successful as the film, although the RSC version is fondly remembered. In 2010 Andrew Lloyd Webber produced a new version of the show at the London Palladium complete with updated score, book and lyrics by Tim Rice. Companies worldwide continue to present various versions of the show in musical or pantomime format.

The Wizard of Oz Playbill Cover

Harold Arlen

E.Y. Harburg

John Kane

the book by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film

Tim Hawkens

Robert Johanson

Larry Wilcox

Productions
The Wizard of Oz RSC

The Wizard of Oz - Original London Production

RSC Barbican - Opened 14 Feb 1987, closed 14 Feb 1988

Cast: Imelda Staunton, Bille Brown, Dilys Laye , Joyce Grant, Trevor Peacock, Sebastian Shaw

The Wizard of Oz California

The Wizard of Oz - Original USA Production

Long Beach California - Opened 14 Jul 1988, closed 31 Jul 1988

The Wizard of Oz London Revival

The Wizard of Oz - London Revival

The London Palladium - Opened 1 Mar 2011, closed 2 Sep 2012

Cast: Michael Crawford, Danielle Hope, Sophie Evans, Paul Keating, Edward Baker-Duly, David Ganly, Hannah Waddingham, Emily Tierney.



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Dorothy Gale lives on a simple farm in Kansas with her Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and dog, Toto, but dreams of a land somewhere “Over the Rainbow.” When Toto bites their mean neighbour Miss Gulch, Uncle Henry and Aunt Em agree to give the dog away to Miss Gulch. Dorothy is heartbroken, but Toto manages to escape and find his way back to her. Dorothy decides they should run away, and they come across the mysterious Professor Marvel, who manages to convince her that she should return home to her family.

On their way back home, a tornado strikes suddenly. When Dorothy finds she is locked out of the storm cellar, she runs into the house where she bumps her head and is knocked unconscious. The house is lifted high up into the air by the tornado, but remains intact. When she wakes up, Dorothy finds herself in a magical land unlike anything she has seen before.

Glinda the Good Witch arrives, and explains to Dorothy that she has landed in the Land of Oz. Glinda introduces Dorothy to the natives, known as Munchkins, who are thrilled that Dorothy’s house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East who has held them captive (“Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead”). As a reward, Glinda bestows the witch’s ruby slippers on Dorothy, but the Wicked Witch of the West arrives and tries to claim the magical shoes. When she is unable to remove them from Dorothy’s feet because of Glinda’s spell, she vows to find a way to retrieve them and disappears.

Glinda encourages Dorothy to visit the wonderful Wizard of Oz, as only he will have the power to send her home. Dorothy and Toto must “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. On the way, she meets a Scarecrow who is missing a brain (“If I Only Had a Brain”), a Tin Man who lacks a heart (“If I Only Had a Heart”), and a Cowardly Lion (“If I Only Had the Nerve”). They join Dorothy to ask the Wizard to grant their own wishes.

The Wicked Witch tries to thwart their journey by creating a field of poison poppies that will make them fall asleep, but Glinda covers the field with snow, ruining the Witch’s spell. The group finally arrives at the Emerald City, where everything is a vibrant shade of green (“The Merry Old Land of Oz”). They are brought to see the Wizard, whose terrifying bellow sends the Cowardly Lion running. He refuses to grant any of their requests until they kill the Wicked Witch of the West.

Dorothy and her friends set off to find the Wicked Witch, and on the way they pass through the Haunted Forest. They are forced to dance themselves into a state of exhaustion by “The Jitterbug,” before the Witch sends her Winged Monkeys to capture Dorothy and Toto. The Witch again tries to remove Dorothy’s shoes, but is unsuccessful. Toto manages to escape and leads the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion to Dorothy, but the Witch has them surrounded. When the Witch lights the Scarecrow on fire, Dorothy throws a bucket of water to put it out and accidentally splashes the Witch who slowly melts until she disappears.

The group returns to the Wizard in the expectation that he will grant their wishes, but find he is once again reluctant. Toto pulls aside a curtain, which reveals that the Wizard is just a normal man. He admits that he is not a Wizard at all, but a magician from Omaha who landed in Oz when his hot-air balloon got loose from a state fair. He agrees to take Dorothy home in his balloon, but when it lifts off too early, Dorothy and Toto are left behind. Glinda returns to reveal that Dorothy had the power to go home all along, and she only needs to click her heels three times. After saying goodbye to her friends, Dorothy clicks her heels and wakes up in her own bed surrounded by her family.

 

Songs

Act I 

  • Overture
  • Over The Rainbow
  • Cyclone
  • Come Out, Come Out…
  • It Really Was No Miracle
  • We Thank You Very Sweetly
  • Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead
  • As Mayor Of The Munchkin City
  • As Coroner, I Must Aver
  • Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead (Reprise)
  • Lullaby League, The
  • Lollipop Guild, The
  • We Welcome You To Munchkinland
  • Follow The Yellow Brick Road
  • You’re Off To See The Wizard
  • If I Only Had A Brain/heart/nerve
  • We’re Off To See The Wizard
  • Optimistic Voices
Act II 
  • Merry Old Land Of Oz, The
  • If I Were King Of The Forest
  • Jitterbug, The
  • Ding-Dong! Emerald City
  • Delirious Escape
  • Glinda
Songs Added to the London 2010 Production: 
(Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics: Tim Rice)
 
  • Nobody Understands Me
  • The Wonders of the World 
  • Red Shoes Blues 
  • Bring Me The Broomstick 
  • Already Home 
Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

The Witches of Eastwick

Based on the cult film of the same name, along with the famous John Updike novel, The Witches of Eastwick is a witty musical by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe. The show opened in London at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2000 and was produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The show follows the plot of the film quiet closely, as three women from a conservative American town conjure up the devil to help them with their various problems. As Daryl Van Horne begins to woo the inhabitants of Eastwick, the women begin to let themselves go and attract negative attention. Despite the fantastic score and witty book the London production was short lived, although a 2011 UK tour proved to be successful. The musical is also available for amateur companies who wish to take on the task of making the three women fly.

Witches of Eastwick

Dana P. Rowe

John Dempsey

John Dempsey

the novel by John Updike and The Warner Bros. motion picture

Cameron Mackintosh

Eric Schaeffer

Bob Avian & Stephen Mear

Productions
The Witches of Eastwick Original London

Original London Production

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Opened 24 Jun 2000, closed 27 Oct 2001

Cast: Ian McShane as Daryll Van Horne, Lucie Arnaz as Alexandra Spofford, Joanna Riding as Jane Smart, Maria Friedman as Sukie Rougemont, Rosemary Ashe as Felicia Gabriel, Stephen Tate as Clyde Gabriel, Caroline Sheen as Jennifer Gabriel, Peter Jöback as Michael Spofford

The Witches of Eastwick Virginia Theatre

US Premiere

Signature Theatre Virginia - Opened 5 Jun 2007, closed 15 Jul 2007

The Witches of Eastwick UK Tour

UK Tour

Norwich Theatre Royal and others - Opened 23 Aug 2008, closed 9 May 2009



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

In the fictional suburban town of Eastwick, Rhode Island, everyone knows everyone else’s business, particularly Felicia Gabriel, the town’s resident busybody and know-it-all combined (“Eastwick Knows”). She is about to receive an award when a sudden thunderstorm forces the day’s events to come to a close.

Alex, Jane, and Sukie are three witches who live in the town unsuspected and on this particular occasion are meeting in Alex’s house. Though they have each other, they are lonely and lack real relationships with men. It is revealed that Sukie is having an affair with Felicia’s husband Clyde. Alex’s son Michael arrives with his girlfriend Jennifer, who is also Felicia and Clyde’s daughter. They are very much in love, and the three witches are a bit jealous that they cannot have the same thing with a man (“Make Him Mine”).

Felicia and Clyde’s marriage is clearly at breaking point, but she refuses to let the cracks show to the town, preferring to pretend she has the perfect life.  She receives a call that a stranger from New York has moved into the Lennox mansion and is cutting down the trees. Always first to protest, she rallies up her Eastwick Preservation Society to confront the new owner, Darryl.  When they arrive, all but Felicia find him strangely charming, until their signs spontaneously burst into flames.

Darryl appears suddenly to each of the witches, managing to seduce them all. They finally realise what is happening when they are all invited to play tennis at his house. He makes a ball burst into flames and explains he is the man they have been looking for. He then teaches them how to place a curse on Felicia by throwing items into a cookie jar, each of which Felicia then vomits out in her kitchen. Darryl begins having an impact on the whole town when he makes it his mission to teach the men how to please their women (“Dance With the Devil”).

Alex, Sukie, and Jane arrive at Darryl’s for an orgy, but when he receives word the Eastwick Preservation Society is suing him, they vow revenge. They throw everything they can into the cookie jar, and Felicia, unable to cope any longer asks Clyde to take her out of her misery. He hits her with a frying plan and shouts he’s glad to be rid of her, just as she takes his tie and shoves it down the garbage disposal, killing them both.

The witches confront Darryl, saying he has taken things too far, and he becomes enraged, causing them to flee the house. Darryl comes across Jennifer and decides to seduce her, convincing her to marry him. The witches decide they must rid the town of him for good. Just before the wedding, they arrive with a voodoo doll of Darryl and take their revenge, as Darryl is sent back to hell. Jennifer and Michael get back together, and the Alex, Jane, and Sukie decide to give up witchcraft for good (“Look at Me”).

 

Songs

ACT I

  • Overture
  • Eastwick Knows
  • While The Sun’s Still In The Sky
  • Make Him Mine
  • I Love A Little Town
  • Eye Of The Beholder
  • Waiting For The Music To Begin
  • What About The Egrets
  • Words, Words, Words
  • Dirty Laundry
  • I Wish I May

ACT II

  • Entr’acte
  • Another Night At Darryl’s
  • Something
  • Dance With The Devil
  • Evil
  • Dirty Laundry (reprise)
  • Loose Ends
  • I Love A Little Town (reprise)
  • Isn’t This What Every Woman Wants?
  • Who’s The Man?
  • The Wedding
  • Look At Me
  • Finale
Awards

2001 Oliver Awards

  • Best New Musical (nomination)
  • Best Actress in a Musical – Joanna Riding (nomination)
  • Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Rosemary Ashe (nomination)
  • Best Lighting Design (nomination)
Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger