With a book by Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes (Mystery of Edwin Drood), direction by Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid, Little House on the Prairie) and a score by pop writers Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, the new industry reading anticipates a summer world premiere at San Diego's Old Globe and a future Broadway bow.
Gasteyer (Wicked, "Saturday Night Live"), Carmello (Mamma Mia!, Parade), Tony winner Lenox (Doubt, Caroline, Or Change), Brad Oscar (The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde), Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King, Ragtime), John Dossett (The Constant Wife, Gypsy), Sam Harris (The Producers, The Life) and Sara Chase (Godspell at Paper Mill Playhouse) are participating in the current reading.
First Wives Club will have its premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego July 15-Aug. 23. The cast for the fully staged production will be announced soon.
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The musical, based on the novel by Olivia Goldsmith and its later film version, represents a reunion for Motown songwriting trio Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland). They created such hits as "Where Did Our Love Go?," "Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name of Love" and "How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved By You)." Librettist Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Say Goodnight Gracie, Curtains!) has "updated" the tale for the musical stage.
According to the producers, "The popular 1996 Paramount film 'The First Wives Club' — about three divorced women who unite to turn their lives around for the better after being cast aside by their husbands for younger girlfriends — was based on Olivia Goldsmith's novel. The motion picture grossed over $130 million and boasted a star-studded cast comprising Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton."
Other members of the creative and design team for First Wives Club include Lisa Stevens (choreographer), Ron Melrose (music director), Harold Wheeler (orchestrations), Zane Mark (dance arrangements), Peter J. Davidson (set design), Catherine Zuber (costume design) and Mark McCullough (lighting design).
The musical will be produced on Broadway by Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson, with a theatre and dates to be announced.
Tickets to the San Diego run of First Wives Club are currently available by subscription by contacting the Globe Box Office at (619) 23-GLOBE or online at www.TheOldGlobe.Org.
