Kelli Barrett (Fosse/Verdon, Dr. Zhivago) and Jessica Vosk (Wicked) head the cast of Theatre Calgary's production of Beaches the Musical, which officially opens May 24 following previews that began May 18.
Barrett plays Bertie opposite the Cee Cee of Vosk in the musical's international premiere, which will continue at the Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre through June 16.
The cast also includes Cecilia Currie as Little Bertie, Emily Dallas as Rose, Jillian Hubler-McManus as Teen Cee Cee, Sierra Holder as Janice, Nathan Gibb Johnson as Michael Barron, Jamie Konchak as Leona, Katie McMillan as Teen Bertie, Brent Thiessen as John Perry, Addison Wagman as Little Cee Cee, Alba Evora Weiler as Nina, plus covers Hailey Loyns, Kayla MacKenzie, and Eric Wigston.
Based on Iris Rainer Dart's best-selling novel, Beaches
features music by Grammy winner Mike Stoller, lyrics by Dart, and a book
by Dart and Thom Thomas, developed in collaboration with David Austin.
Tony nominee Lonny Price (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill) and Matt Cowart co-direct the production with choreography by Jennifer Rias and associate choreography by Travis Waldschmidt.
The musical also has scenic design by James Noone, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by David Bengali, wig/make-up design by J. Jared Janas, music supervision by Joseph Thalken, music direction by Katie Coleman, associate music direction by Mark Limacher, and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen. Casting is by Dayton/Walters Casting and Tara Rubin Casting's Peter Van Dam.
Beaches, which was made into a blockbuster film starring
Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, follows two friends through 30 years
of camaraderie,
laughter, sorrow, and love. The song "Wind Beneath My Wings," which was featured in the film, became a hit for Midler.
Theatre Calgary Artistic Director Stafford Arima said in an earlier statement,
“I first witnessed the sheer brilliance of Jessica Vosk when I saw her
in Wicked on Broadway. Her Elphaba was pure perfection, and her
performance redefined the role for me. In 2007, I directed Kelli
Barrett in a new musical called Ace at The Old Globe in San
Diego. For the past 17 years, I have watched in awe how Kelli has carved
out a successful journey within this industry building space both
onstage and onscreen. I cannot wait to see how these two powerhouse
performers will ignite these unforgettable characters in Beaches the Musical."
Previous developmental productions of Beaches were presented at the Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C., and the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi starred in Washington, while the Chicago cast was headed by Shoshana Bean and Whitney Bashor. Bashor and Vosk led private industry readings in October 2023.
The stage management team includes Angela Beaulieu, Liz King, Carissa Sams, and Raynah Bourne.
Beaches is produced by Theatre Calgary, with Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso, Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment, Alison Spiriti for Right Angle Entertainment and Broadway & Beyond Theatricals (Tracey McFarland, Ryan Bogner, Victoria Lang).
Visit TheatreCalgary.com.
