Ever After
MusicZina Goldrich
LyricsMarcy Heisler
BookMarcy Heisler
BasisEver After
by Andy Tennant
PremiereMay 21, 2015
Productions2015 Paper Mill Playhouse
2019 Alliance Theatre

Ever After is a 2015 musical, with book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich, based on the 1998 film of the same name written by Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, and Rick Parks. It is loosely based on fairy tale Cinderella. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in May 2015.

Background

A report in 2012 indicated that a musical theatre production was in the works, with the book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich.[1] There was a reading of the musical in 2007 in New York City, starring Elena Shaddow as Danielle and Max von Essen as Prince Henry and directed by Doug Hughes. The musical's subtitle at that time was A Cinderella Story.[2] The musical was originally scheduled for its world premiere in April 2009 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, but the pre-Broadway run was postponed.[3] In May 2012, the project was back on track with Kathleen Marshall directing a Broadway run.[4][5]

A workshop of the musical was held from April 25, 2013 to May 15, 2013 with Sierra Boggess as Danielle, Jeremy Jordan as Prince Henry, and Ashley Spencer as Marguerite.[6] The musical made its world premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse from May 21, 2015 – June 21, 2015.[7] Christine Ebersole played the role of Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.[8] Alongside Ebersole, Margo Seibert starred as Danielle, James Snyder as Henry, Charles Shaughnessy as King Francis, and Tony Sheldon as Da Vinci.[9] Another production of the musical began playing at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre beginning January 2019.[10]

Productions

Paper Mill Playhouse (2015)

The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse on May 21, 2015, for a limited engagement until June 21, 2015. The production was directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. The production's design team included scenery by Derek McLane, costumes by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski, sound by Nevin Steinberg, and projections by Olivia Sebesky and Derek McLane. John Kenrick reviews this production: "It is a joy to report that Ever After has been deftly adapted into a musical that boasts delightful music, unusually witty lyrics, and enough human magic to make for a wonderful evening's entertainment."[11]

Alliance Theatre (2019)

The musical premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 2019, for a limited engagement until February 17, 2019. The production was directed by Susan V. Booth and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter. The design team included scenery by Anna Louizos, costumes by Linda Cho, lighting by Robert Wierzel, and projections by Sven Ortel.[12][13]

Ordway Theatre (2019)

The musical was expected to run at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota from December 3 to 29, 2019.[14] However, following this announcement the musical was replaced on the schedule by SIX the Musical, which played at the Ordway for a limited engagement from November 29 to December 22, 2019 before its Broadway debut.[15][16]

Characters and original cast

Character Industry Reading
(2007)[2] 		Industry Reading
(2013) 		Paper Mill Playhouse
(2015) 		Industry Reading
(2018) 		Alliance Theatre
(2019)
Danielle de Barbarac Elena Shaddow Sierra Boggess Margo Seibert Sierra Boggess
Prince Henry Max von Essen Jeremy Jordan James Snyder Hunter Ryan Herdlicka Tim Rogan
Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent Jan Maxwell Christine Ebersole Rachel York
King Francis of France Ron Holgate Terrence Mann Charles Shaughnessy Chris Kayser
Queen Marie of France Mary Beth Peil Kate Burton Julie Halston Terry Burrell
Marguerite de Ghent Brynn O'Malley Ashley Spencer Mara Davi Jenny Ashman
Jacqueline de Ghent Emily Walton Gwen Hollander Annie Funke Rachel Flynn
Leonardo da Vinci Tim Jerome Tony Sheldon David Garrison
Auguste de Barbarac / Spanish King Byron Jennings Fred Inkley Corey James Wright
Captain Laurent Jonathan Root Jose Llana Charl Brown Todd Buonopane
Pierre Malette John Hillner Jeff McCarthy
Gustave Jonathan Rayson F. Michael Haynie Andrew Keenan-Bolger Justin Keyes
Maurice Nick Corley Jimmy Kieffer
Louise Liz McCartney Rhyn Saver
Young Danielle Sadie Sink Isabella Burke Bella Yantis
Paulette / Spanish Princess Jill Abramovitz
Flanek Sean Martin Hingston
Cargo Master Will Mann
Marquis / Spanish Lover Jonathan Shew
Spanish Queen Aléna Watters
Sophie Wendi Bergamini
Le Pieu Stephen Bogardus

Musical numbers

Paper Mill Playhouse

Alliance Theatre

References

  1. ^ Barrett, Annie (May 15, 2012). "'Ever After' to hit Broadway in 2013". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Gans, Andrew. "Reading of Broadway-Bound Ever After, With Shaddow, von Essen and Maxwell, Presented July 19" Playbill, July 19, 2007
  3. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 28, 2009). "South Pacific Revival to Play San Francisco; Pre-Broadway Ever After Run Postponed". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  4. ^ "Kathleen Marshall to Helm Broadway-Bound EVER AFTER Musical; Music by Heisler/Goldrich". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 15, 2012). "Kathleen Marshall Will Direct Broadway Debut of Ever After, Based On 1998 Cinderella Film". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "Exclusive: Jeremy Jordan, Sierra Boggess, Jan Maxwell and Ashley Spencer Star in Developmental Lab of EVER AFTER". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  7. ^ "Paper Mill Season Will Feature Can-Can, Hunchback, Ever After, Vanya and Sonia and More". playbill.com. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Tony Winner Christine Ebersole Will Star in New Musical Ever After". theatermania.com. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  9. ^ "Full Casting Announced for Paper Mill Playhouse's Ever After". TheaterMania. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "EVER AFTER, RIDE THE CYCLONE & More Will Appear in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season". Broadway World. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Kenrick, John. Ever After musicals101.com, retrieved October 19, 2020
  12. ^ "Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, Among Stars of EVER AFTER in Atlanta". Broadway World. December 4, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  13. ^ "Photo Flash: Sierra Boggess, Rachel York, And More In Rehearsal For EVER AFTER At Alliance Stage". Broadway World. December 20, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "New Musical 'Ever After' Will Play the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul" playbill, February 27, 2019
  15. ^ "Broadway at Ordway adds 'SIX,' just before it debuts on the Great White Way". Twin Cities. July 29, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  16. ^ "2019-2020 Broadway at the Ordway Update: SIX". Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
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