The First Wives Club - A New Musical

The First Wives Club - A New Muscial, premiered tonight in San Diego at the Old Globe Theater. If it does well here it will move to Broadway. The book is by Rupert Holmes (Curtains, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Say Goodnight Gracie), music and lyrics by Holland, Dozier, Holland (writers of the biggest hits from Motown). It stars Sheryl Lee Ralph (Dreamgirls) as Elise, Barbara Walsh (Falsettos, Company, Hairspray) as Brenda and Karen Ziemba (Curtains, Never Gonna Dance, Steel Pier, Chicago, A Chorus Line) as Annie. The play stays relatively true to the movie but none of the songs in the movie are sung in the play. It has all new music and lyrics by Holland, Dozier, Holland. The sets and staging were really well done as were the costumes. All of the actors are good especially Karen Ziemba who plays Annie. When all three of the ladies are singing her voice is the strongest and clearest. As much as I enjoyed the play though I like the movie better. If the play makes it to a long and succesful Broadway run it might come to a town near you on tour. Sam Harris is also in the play.