Original "Beaches" Star Comments on Musical Version of Film | Playbill

News Original "Beaches" Star Comments on Musical Version of Film Barbara Hershey, who created the role of Bertie White in the hit film "Beaches," recently gave her thoughts about the musical version of the property, which is currently playing a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago co-starring Shoshana Bean and Whitney Bashor.

EW.com asked Hershey, who will be seen in Fox’s "Damien," what she thought about a musical adaptation of Iris Rainer Dart's 1985 novel. The acclaimed actress said, "I'd be interested to see what they do. It seems like a natural for a musical."

The stage production had its world premiere at Virginia's Signature Theatre in early 2014. That production featured Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi.

Eric Schaeffer (Signature's artistic director, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), who helmed the musical's world premiere, again directs the Broadway-bound production, which runs through Aug. 16. Previews began June 24.

Dates and a theatre for a Broadway production have not yet been announced, but the production is hoping to transfer. 

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Shoshana Bean and Whitney Bashor Photo by Brett Beiner

The musical features a book by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by David Austin.

Bean portrays rising star Cee Cee Bloom, with Bashor as her lifelong friend, Bertie White. The roles were created on screen by Bette Midler and Hershey.

The cast also includes Travis Taylor as John Perr, Nancy Voigts as Leona Bloom, Kelly Anne Clark as Rose White, Jim DeSelm as Michael Barron, Michael Accardo as Nathan Bloom, Andrew Varela as Arthur, Samantha Pauly as Teen Cee Cee and Olivia Renteria as Teen Bertie. The cast is complete by William Carlos Angulo, Heather Brorsen, Josh Kohane, Christine Mild and Holly Strauder.

Beaches is choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with musical direction by Brian Nash. It has scenic design by Derek McLane, lighting design by Howell Binkley, costume design by Alejo Vietti and sound design by Kai Harada.

Here's how the musical is billed: "Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow. Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood."

For more information and tickets, call (630) 530-0111 or visit DruryLane.com.

 
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