This article needs additional citations for verification .(December 2019) |
Ghost | |
---|---|
Music | |
Lyrics |
|
Book | Bruce Joel Rubin |
Basis | film Ghost by Bruce Joel Rubin |
Premiere | 14 March 2011 : Manchester Opera House |
Productions | 2011 Manchester 2011 West End 2012 Broadway 2013 UK tour 2013 US tour 2016 UK tour 2019 UK tour 2024 UK tour Multiple productions worldwide |
Ghost is a musical with book and lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin and music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Based on the hit 1990 romantic fantasy thriller film of the same name, it centres on lovers Sam and Molly, who are attacked as they are returning to their apartment. When Sam dies he becomes caught between the real world and the next. Molly is in danger and Sam cannot leave her. A medium, Oda Mae Brown, helps Sam to get in touch with Molly to warn her.
The musical had its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester in March 2011. Ghost then began its West End premiere in summer 2011, opening on 19 July. [1] [2] A Broadway transfer opened in April 2012. It toured the UK in 2013, after the London production closed in October 2012.
Sam Wheat and his long-time girlfriend, Molly Jensen, move into a loft apartment in Brooklyn together ("Here Right Now"). Sam is a banker and Molly a sculptor. Their friend Carl Bruner, one of Sam's co-workers, comes to help them settle in. The three of them are a tight-knit group. Although Sam and Molly very much in love, Sam shies away from the word "love", which makes Molly visibly uncomfortable. She starts to address it, but soon stops herself. Sam distracts her with a rendition of "Unchained Melody", leaving her insecurities temporarily forgotten.
At work, Sam notices discrepancies with several accounts and is unwilling to let them go, even though he has a date with Molly that evening ("More"). He confides in Carl this discovery, who agrees to keep the findings a secret and also promises to investigate himself, so Sam can keep his date. Sam meets up with Molly, who confesses that she wants to marry him. Sam is taken aback and Molly asks why he never says that he loves her ("Three Little Words"); he assures Molly that while he may not say it in his words, he prefers to tell her in his actions. Molly tells him that she'd still like to hear it every now and again, but his reply reassures her nonetheless. After dinner, they're approached by an armed man that tries to steal Sam's wallet. Sam fights back instead of surrendering, and the two struggle for the gun. It goes off and Sam is fatally shot, leaving Molly to cry out for help. Sam dies. However, instead of following the light, Sam becomes a ghost and stays behind with Molly, invisible to her. He follows her to the hospital, and another ghost explains what he's become ("Ball of Wax"). A trapped Sam struggles to reach out to Molly ("I Can't Breathe").
Back at the apartment, Carl helps Molly clear out some of Sam's old things. She and Sam both struggle to let go of the lives they led. Later when Molly is alone upstairs, Sam's killer sneaks in and begins to rob her. Sam, worried that his killer will hurt her, manages to spook the man and he flees. Needing to know who this man is, Sam pushes himself through the front door with great effort, and follows the man all the way back to his apartment. He finds out that the man's name is Willie Lopez, and that he'll eventually return to Molly's apartment, as he couldn't find what he was looking for. Desperate, Sam then seeks out a psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who seems to be a total fraud ("Are You a Believer?"). By some miracle, she actually hears Sam. He convinces her to go talk to Molly on his behalf - by singing '10,000 Bottles of Beer on the Wall' obnoxiously. In the meantime, Molly is grieving ("With You"). She gets a visit from Oda Mae, but Molly is hesitant to believe her. Sam then had Oda Mae starts parroting things that only Sam would know. Molly comes around, and agrees to listen. Through Oda Mae, Sam tells Molly that he was set up and murdered, urging her that she needs to go to the police. Oda Mae bails as soon as she hears the stakes of the situation. Molly goes to Carl, who tells her that it's crazy, but promises to check it out. She goes to the police, while Carl goes straight to Willie's place. There, Sam discovers the truth: Carl has been embezzling money through the accounts Sam noticed the discrepancies in, and that Carl hired Willie to rob him, which led to his murder. As Molly swears to suspend all disbelief, a drunken Carl wanders the streets trying to convince himself Sam's murder was not his fault ("Suspend My Disbelief/I Had a Life").
At the police station, Molly discovers Oda Mae has an extensive the criminal record. Shaken and believing the psychic is a fraud, she loses hope and leaves, much to Sam's dismay ("Rain/Hold On"). At their apartment, Molly, in her anger, sits down to do some pottery and turns on the radio. Static is heard and Molly changes the station, but as she turns the dial, "Unchained Melody" suddenly plays. In shock, Molly quickly turns off the radio, but after a moment, she turns it back on and slowly returns to her pottery. Sam, watching, approaches her from behind singing along. As she continues her pottery, Molly begins to get frustrated and starts to lean back as if she can feel Sam. But they are interrupted by, a knock on the door. It's Carl. Molly tells Carl that he was right, that the whole thing was crazy, and that she was just grasping at straws in her grief. He assures her that it's only natural, but she has to move on. He makes a, poorly received, move on her ("Life Turns on a Dime"). Enraged by this betrayal, Sam manages to break something, and a flustered Molly asks Carl to leave.
With the help of another ghost on the subway, Sam learns how to move objects ("Focus"). He then returns to Oda Mae's place to enlist her help once more ("Talkin' Bout a Miracle"). Instead of resorting to fraud, Oda Mae finds true psychic ability and calls on other spirits. However, while Sam is there, Willie finds her. Oda Mae escapes, running for her life. Sam uses his newfound abilities to spook Willie and chase him away. Willie runs into traffic, where he is hit by a car and dies. But, unlike Sam, he is not offered a white light: He's dragged somewhere completely different. Sam begs Oda Mae to help him protect Molly and to stop Carl from getting to the money
Molly, trying to get her life together and move on, starts selling her pieces at her gallery ("Nothing Stops Another Day"). She apologizes to Carl for pushing him away. Carl, anxiously awaiting a call, waves her off under the guise of having a busy day. At the bank, Oda Mae poses as "Rita Miller," the fictional owner of the account that Carl was extorting. Sam feeds her the correct information and they close the account. Sam goes to find Carl in his office and starts moving objects around the room to scare him. Carl understands this is Sam's spirit and he knows what really happened. Scared, Carl threatens that he'll kill Molly if he doesn't leave him alone and give him the money.
After being handed a check for the amount in the closed account, around four million dollars, Oda Mae tries to take the money and leave the situation for good ("I'm Outta Here"). Sam convinces her to donate the money. The two then go see Molly to warn her about Carl. Still disillusioned, Molly tries to send her away. Sam walks through the door and communicates through Oda Mae the significance of the earrings Molly is wearing. After reading a letter for Sam that Molly has inside the apartment, Molly is able to believe again. She lets the psychic in and Oda Mae explains everything, leaving Molly emotionally distraught. Oda Mae lets Sam use her body to hold Molly and comfort her ("Unchained Melody (Dance)")
Carl arrives, armed, desperate, and frightened for life, as he owes dangerous drug dealers money. Though he doesn't want to resort to such measures, Carl grabs Molly and holds his gun to her. He tells Sam that if he doesn't tell him where the money is, he's going to kill her. There's a struggle, and Carl is killed. He's dragged away in the same way Willie was earlier.
Now that Carl is gone and Molly is safe, the light returns for Sam. Molly is able to see and hear him. Knowing it's time for him to go, Sam says goodbye to Oda Mae, and regretfully turns to Molly. Sam finally tells Molly that he loves her in the way that she wants to hear and goes into the light ("Finale").
The musical had a world premiere try-out at the Manchester Opera House, Manchester, England with performances beginning 28 March 2011 and running through 14 May 2011. [3] It was directed by Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, with set and costume design by Rob Howell, choreography by Ashley Wallen, musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale, illusions by Paul Kieve, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Bobby Aitken and projection design by Jon Driscoll. [2] [4]
Cast members included Richard Fleeshman as Sam Wheat, Caissie Levy as Molly Jensen, Sharon D. Clarke as Oda Mae Brown and Andrew Langtree as Carl Bruner. [5]
The production began previews at the Piccadilly Theatre in the West End on 24 June 2011, with an official opening night gala on 19 July. Reviews for the opening night performance were mixed, although the special effects were praised by critics for their ingenuity and skill.[ citation needed ] On 13 January 2012, Mark Evans and Siobhan Dillon took over in the roles of Sam and Molly respectively. [6] The production closed on 6 October 2012. [7]
The musical opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 23 April 2012, following previews from 15 March [8] Directed by Matthew Warchus, original stars Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy reprised their roles, with newcomers Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Oda Mae) and Bryce Pinkham (Carl).
According to Levy, "[For the Broadway production], emotional moments in the show have been fine-tuned, a line or two has been changed here or there...a couple of songs have been replaced, some characters have been tweaked. All for the better." [9] A new "Overture" was added, and "Ball of Wax" has been replaced by a new, but similar song, "You Gotta Let Go".
The production opened to mixed reviews, [10] [11] [12] although it received three Tony Award nominations. Randolph was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, while Hugh Vanstone won the award for Outstanding Lighting Design. [13] It was announced on 24 July 2012, that the Broadway production would close on 18 August 2012 after 136 regular performances. A national tour for fall 2013 was confirmed. [14]
The first UK Tour opened in Cardiff on 10 April 2013, and despite some technical faults, opened to positive reviews.[ citation needed ] London understudy Rebecca Trehearn stepped into the role of Molly, with Stewart Clarke as Sam, Wendy Mae Brown as Oda Mae and David Roberts as Carl. [15] The 11-month tour closed as scheduled on 8 March 2014 in Oxford.
The musical had the German premiere in Berlin at the Theater des Westens at the 7 December 2017. [16] Alexander Klaws and Willemijn Verkaik took over in the roles of Sam and Molly respectively. Ghost played 348 times until 7 October 2018. The musical received four awards at the "Broadway World Awards 2018". [17]
In October 2018, the musical played internationally in Dubai, Istanbul and Trieste. Rebekah Lowings and Nial Sheehy played the roles of the heartbroken Molly and ghost Sam. The Bill Kenwright production then toured the whole of the UK, starting on 8 January 2019 at Churchill Theatre, Bromley. [18] Lowings said, "When I first saw the show it took my breath away. The storyline is iconic. The songs are just stunning, the orchestration is beautiful." Sheehy said: "The music we’re singing perfectly suits who we are as characters." [19]
An UK tour produced again by Bill Kenwright kicked off on 22 August 2024 at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, starring Josh St. Clair as Sam Wheat, Rebekah Lowings as Molly Jenson, Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mae Brown, and James Mateo-Salt as Carl Brunner. [20]
On 1 October 2024, a concert performance will play at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End with a cast featuring Lucie Jones as Molly and Oliver Tompsett as Sam.
The first North American tour began at the Proctor's Theater in Schenectady, NY on 14 September 2013. The cast featured Steven Grant Douglas as Sam, Katie Postotnik as Molly, Robby Haltiwanger as Carl, and Carla R. Stewart as Oda Mae Brown. [21] A debut season in Melbourne, Australia, had been confirmed to open in August 2013. The production was postponed due to "complications with transporting the famously technologically intricate set". [22] The show eventually had an Australian premiere in 2016, opening in Adelaide before touring to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. [22] The cast featured Rob Mills as Sam and Jemma Rix as Molly. [23]
A 2013 South Korean production starred Joo Won as Sam and Ivy as Molly. [24] In 2014, Christian Bautista played Sam and Cris Villonco played Molly in the 2014 Manila production. [25]
The English Theatre Frankfurt staged the German premiere of Ghost in November 2014. Aaron Sidwell played Carl. [26]
An Asian tour was launched in 2015 in which starred Liam Doyle as Sam, Lucie Jones as Molly, and Andrew Langtree as Carl. [27] There was a second Asian tour which began in 2016. [28] Ghost has also played international destinations including Italy, Czech Republic and Singapore. [29]
The German speaking premiere of Ghost was in 2017 in Linz, Austria. The production starred Riccardo Greco as Sam, Anaïs Lueken as Molly, Peter Lewys Preston as Carl and Ana Milva Gomes as Oda Mae.
The Russian premiere of Ghost took place on 7 October 2017 at the Moscow Youth Palace, starring Pavel Levkin as Sam, Galina Bezruk as Molly and Marina Ivanova as Oda Mae. [30]
On 14 March, 2019, Heltemus Production had the Danish premiere of Ghost with the original music, and with Danish translations of book and lyrics. The musical was directed and choreographed by Tobias Larsson and with set design by Rikke Juellund. [31] The production starred Mikkel Moltke Hvilsom as Sam, Frederikke Vedel as Molly, Johannes Nymark as Carl, and Sara Gadborg as Oda Mae. [32]
A French-language production of Ghost opened on 7 September 2019 at Théâtre Mogador in Paris. [33]
A Japanese production of Ghost is scheduled to run from March 5 to March 23, 2021, at Theater Clie in Tokyo. The play will star Kenji Urai as Sam, Koki Mizuta as Carl, and Kumiko Mori as Oda Mae. Miyu Sakihi and Reika Sakurai are double-cast as Molly. [34]
An Israeli language production of Ghost will open on 2025 at Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv.
In November 2010, four original songs from the musical were made available online from recording sessions at the Abbey Road Studios and the Manchester Exchange Theatre. [35]
The event was recorded and exclusively screened for fans on Ghost's Facebook Page on 26 November 2010. The screenings were called 'Live & Unchained: The Facebook Sessions' and gave the world the first chance to hear the original songs. The whole footage is now available on YouTube. [36] The original cast recording was released via iTunes on 17 July 2011. On the album, "Unchained Melody (Dance)" and "Finale" (labeled as "The Love Inside") are edited into one track.
|
|
≠Replaced with "You Gotta Let Go" for Broadway and UK Tour. In the UK and US Tours, the role of Hospital Ghost is absent and the song is sung solely by the ensemble.
≠≠Replaced with "Unchained Melody (Sam's Lament)" for the UK Tour and productions thereafter.
≠≠≠Music and lyrical changes, mainly from "Here Right Now", implemented for Broadway and productions thereafter.
Role | Original Manchester | Original West End | Original Broadway | Original Linz | Original Berlin | Original Hamburg | UK Tour 24/25 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sam Wheat | Richard Fleeshman | Riccardo Greco | Alexander Klaws | Riccardo Greco | Josh St. Clair | ||
Molly Jensen | Caissie Levy | Anaïs Lueken | Willemijn Verkaik | Roberta Valentini | Rebekah Lowings | ||
Carl Bruner | Andrew Langtree | Bryce Pinkham | Peter Lewys Preston | Andreas Bongard | John Vooijs | James Mateo-Salt | |
Oda Mae Brown | Sharon D. Clarke | Da'Vine Joy Randolph | Ana Milva Gomes | Marion Campbell | Jacqui Dubois | ||
Willie Lopez | Ivan De Freitas | Michael Balderrama | Mischa Kiek | Jules Brown | |||
Subway Ghost | Adebayo Bolaji | Tyler McGee | Gernot Romic | Nicolas Boris Christahl | Marius Bingel | Garry Lee | |
Hospital Ghost | Mark Pearce | Mark White | Lance Roberts | Rob Pelzer | Klaus Seifert | Rob Pelzer | Les Dennis |
Clara | Lisa Davina Phillip | Moya Angela | Ariana Schirasi-Fard | Chasity Elaine Crisp | Enny de Alba | Tanisha Butterfield | |
Louise | Jenny Fitzpatrick | Carly Hughes | Gina Marie Hudson | Denise Lucia Aquino | Tamara Wörner | Keiahna Jackson-Jones |
Charles Isherwood, in his review of the Broadway production for The New York Times , called the musical a "thrill-free singing theme-park ride" and went on to write that "the show relies mostly on elaborate video imagery, modestly ingenious special effects and the familiarity of its ectoplasmic romance to entertain." Further, he believes that the musical has "innocuous, forgettable pop songs..." [10]
The New York Daily News reviewer wrote that the "gee-whiz illusions (a specter seemingly walks through a door, for instance), lavish light displays and supersized projections are the main attractions of this English import. Without eye-popping tricks, the show offers zip in the way of wonder... [the] book... clunks along. The love story gets swamped by numerous scenes and robotic dance numbers about New York’s frantic fast-paced corporate jungle. Some moments seem to exist simply for visuals — Hey, let’s use umbrellas!" [11]
In a more positive vein, the "talkinbroadway.com" reviewer wrote "Librettist-lyricist Bruce Joel Rubin ... and composer-lyricists Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard have written one of the finest film-to-stage adaptations in current memory, which Matthew Warchus has directed with energy and passion. Add in a better-than-necessary cast led by U.K. actor Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy ... both of whom originated their roles in London, and you have an evening that startles with just how good it is. In relative terms, at any rate. I'm not willing to go as far as saying that this is a great musical, or even an objectively good one... But it positively glows by the standards of all this Broadway season's new offerings and the likes of most other recent movie-inspired outings." [12]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | Nominated | |
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Sharon D. Clarke | Nominated | ||
Best Set Design | Rob Howell | Nominated | ||
Best Lighting Design | Hugh Vanstone | Nominated | ||
Best Sound Design | Bobby Aitken | Nominated |
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Da’Vine Joy Randolph | Nominated |
Best Scenic Design | Rob Howell and Jon Driscoll | Nominated | ||
Best Lighting Design | Hugh Vanstone | Nominated | ||
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Set Design | Jon Driscoll, Rob Howell and Paul Kieve | Won | |
Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Musical | Nominated | ||
Outer Critics Circle | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Da’Vine Joy Randolph | Nominated | |
Outstanding Lighting Design | Hugh Vanstone | Won |
Ghost is a 1990 American supernatural romance film directed by Jerry Zucker from a screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, and starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Vincent Schiavelli, and Rick Aviles. It focuses on Sam Wheat (Swayze), a murdered banker, whose ghost sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly Jensen (Moore), from the person who killed him – through the help of the psychic Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg).
Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson based on songs recorded by Swedish group ABBA and composed by members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The musical's title is taken from the group's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia". Ulvaeus and Andersson were involved in the development of the show from the beginning, while singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad was involved financially in the production and also appeared at many of the premieres around the world.
Sutton Lenore Foster is an American actress. She is known for her work on the Broadway stage, for which she has won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical twice, in 2002 for her role as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and in 2011 for her performance as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, a role which she reprised in 2021 for a production in London and for which she received a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other Broadway credits include Grease, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, Shrek the Musical, Violet, The Music Man, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Once Upon a Mattress. On television, Foster played the lead role in the short-lived ABC Family comedy-drama Bunheads from 2012 to 2013. From 2015 to 2021, she starred in the TV Land comedy-drama Younger.
Richard Jonathan Fleeshman is an English actor and singer. His career began at age 12 playing Craig Harris on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2002 to 2006. He went on to become an established West End and Broadway performer, starring in shows such as Legally Blonde (2010) and Ghost (2011–2012). He appeared in the recurring role of Ken on Netflix's The Sandman in 2022, and has played Lt. James Brice on Syfy's The Ark since 2023. His debut solo album, Neon, was released in 2007.
Next to Normal is a 2008 American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. The musical addresses grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the underbelly of suburban life.
Beth Leavel is an American stage and screen actress and singer.
Emily Skinner, also known as Emily Scott Skinner, is a Tony-nominated American actress and singer. She has played leading roles in 11 Broadway productions including New York, New York, Prince of Broadway, The Cher Show, Side Show, Jekyll & Hyde, James Joyce's The Dead, The Full Monty, Dinner at Eight, Billy Elliot, as well as the Actor's Fund Broadway concerts of Dreamgirls and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She has sung on concert stages around the world and on numerous recordings.
13 is a musical with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn.
In the Heights is a musical with concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City.
Caissie Levy is a Canadian-American actress and singer, mainly known for her work in musical theatre on Broadway and in the West End. Her early Broadway credits included Penny Pingleton in Hairspray and Sheila in Hair, a role she also played in the West End. She originated the role of Molly Jensen in the West End and Broadway productions of Ghost: the Musical, and played Fantine in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables. Levy also originated the role of Elsa in Frozen on Broadway. For her performance on the cast recording of Caroline, or Change, she was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2023. Levy originated the role of Diana Goodman in the London production of Next to Normal and received a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
The Addams Family is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The show is based upon The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons, which depict a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. Although numerous film and television adaptations of Addams' cartoons exist, the musical is the first stage show based on the characters. The Addams Family is also the first show produced by Elephant Eye Theatricals.
Roald Dahl's Matilda, also known simply as Matilda and Matilda the Musical, is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. It is based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. The musical's narrative centres on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.
Million Dollar Quartet is a jukebox musical with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. It dramatizes the Million Dollar Quartet recording session of December 4, 1956, among early rock and roll/country stars who recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, which are Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, and newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis. The musical opened on Broadway in 2010, after several tryouts and regional productions, and spawned a 2011 West End production.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath that tells the story of the early life and career of Carole King, using songs that she wrote, often together with Gerry Goffin, and other contemporary songs by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector and others.
Dear Evan Hansen is a coming-of-age stage musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson. The musical follows Evan Hansen, a high school senior with social anxiety, "who invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn".
Tuck Everlasting is a musical based upon the American children's novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. It features music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and a book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, with direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw. The musical had its premiere at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. It began Broadway previews on March 31, 2016; and opened on April 26, 2016, at the Broadhurst Theatre, in New York City. The production closed on May 29, 2016, after 39 performances.
Murder Ballad is a rock opera musical with music and lyrics by Juliana Nash, and book and lyrics by Julia Jordan.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Tina Turner and depicting her life from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into a rock 'n roll superstar. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd with a book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins, the musical had its world premiere on 17 April 2018 at the Aldwych Theatre in London. The Broadway production opened on 7 November 2019.
Kate Rockwell is an American actor, dancer, and singer. She is known for her work on Broadway and for originating the roles of Skylar in Bring It On: The Musical in 2011 and of Karen Smith in the 2018 musical Mean Girls, for the latter of which she received Drama Desk Award and Helen Hayes Award nominations.
Alison Nicole Luff is an American singer and stage actress. She is best known for her extensive work in musical theatre, notably for her roles as Elphaba in the First National Tour of Wicked and Jenna in the Broadway production of Waitress. From 2021 to 2023, she has appeared in a lead role in the Starz drama series Heels.