Producers of the Judy Garland musical biography Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz are weighing their options after a ten-week run at Goodspeed Musicals before a hoped-for Broadway transfer.
New York-based producer Tina Marie Casamento Libby told Playbill.com, “We are exploring all options, and we will let you know once we have plans firmed up. For now, we are enjoying the aftermath of a very successful run at the Goodspeed.”
Libby had previously said that the show is aiming for an eventual Broadway opening.
With a book by Marc Acito and a score consisting of classic period songs, the show tells the story of Garland's childhood up to the time she is cast as Dorothy in the film classic The Wizard of Oz. Ruby Rakos played screen and concert goddess in the musical, which began previews September 16, opened October 5, and ran through November 27 at Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. Rakos also starred in last fall's developmental world premiere at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina.
The show uses 1930s music from the EMI/Feist Robbins catalog. Musical arrangements are by David Libby, with additional music by Libby, and additional lyrics by Casamento/Acito/Libby.
In addition to Rakos, who played the central role of Frances Gumm, the girl who grows up to be Judy Garland, other principal roles were played at Goodspeed by Kevin Earley, who appeared in the Broadway productions of A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Les Misérables and Goodspeed’s production of Annie Get Your Gun, as Frank Gumm. Sally Wilfert, who appeared on Broadway in Assassins and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, was Ethel Gumm. Mickey Rooney was played by Michael Wartella, who appeared in the Broadway productions of Tuck Everlasting and Wicked. No word on whether any will continue on with potential future productions.
Here is a montage of clips from the show:
Goodspeed's Chasing Rainbows was directed by Tyne Rafaeli and choreographed by Chris Bailey.
Here is a mini-documentary assembled by Goodspeed for the show:
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(Updated November 28, 2016)
