Mystic Pizza is a jukebox musical with a book by Sandy Rustin and score by various artists. The score includes pop music hits from the 1980s.[1]
| Mystic Pizza | |
|---|---|
| Music | Various Artists |
| Lyrics | Various Artists |
| Book | Sandy Rustin |
| Basis | Mystic Pizza (1988) By: Alfred Uhry Amy Holden Jones Perry Howze Randy Howze |
| Productions | 2021 Ogunquit Playhouse 2025 Paper Mill Playhouse |
The musical is based on the 1988 film of the same name that starred Julia Roberts. The show is set in Mystic, Connecticut, during the 1980s and follows the lives of three young waitresses at the Mystic Pizza restaurant.[2]
Production history
editWork began on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Sandy Rustin writing the book and video-conferencing with the all-female development team from home. The production was directed by Casey Hushion with choreography by Liz Ramos. Orchestrations of the score were done by Carmel Dean.[3] Melissa Etheridge was originally set to score the musical herself. The show does contain one song from her catalog, I'm the Only One.[4]
Regional productions (2021-2024)
editThe show had its world premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, running from September 1, 2021, until October 2.[5]
The musical was also staged at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York from September 15, 2022, until October 30, 2022.[6] The show was workshopped at the Adirondack Theatre Festival from August 5–7, 2022.
The production was then performed at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, California, from January 20 through February 11, 2024.[7]
Paper Mill Playhouse (2025)
editA Pre-Broadway production will premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, running from January 29, 2025, until February 23, 2025.[8] Krystina Alabado will reprise her role as Daisy from prior productions, alongside a new cast including Deanna Giulietti as Jojo and Alaina Anderson as Kat. [9]
Original cast and characters
edit| Character | Ogunquit (2021) | Papermill (2025)[10] |
|---|---|---|
| Daisy Araújo | Krystina Alabado | |
| Katherine "Kat" Araújo | Kyra Kennedy | Alaina Anderson |
| Josephina "Jojo" Barboza | Gianna Yanelli | Deánna Giulietti |
| Leona Silva | Rayanne Gonzales | Jennifer Fouche |
| Charles Gordon Windsor Jr. | Corey Mach | Vincent Michael |
| William "Bill" Montijo | Garrett Marshall | F. Michael Haynie |
| Tim Travers | Joel Perez | Ben Fankhauser |
| Mrs. Araújo | Nicole Paloma Sarro | April Josephine |
Musical numbers
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References
edit- ^ "Mystic Pizza". Concord Theatricals.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (October 21, 1988). "Review/Film; The Autumn Before Womanhood" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Mystic Pizza Trades Smelly Fish for Melissa Etheridge, as the Musical Gods Intended - TheaterMania.com". September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Melissa Etheridge at Work on Mystic Pizza Musical | Playbill".
- ^ "Mystic Pizza - Show". Ogunquit Playhouse.
- ^ Theater, John W. Engeman (September 7, 2022). "Mystic Pizza, A New Musical coming to the Engeman". Engeman Theater.
- ^ "Photos: Take a Look at La Mirada Theatre's Mystic Pizza Musical | Playbill".
- ^ "New Musicals Mystic Pizza and Take the Lead Set for Paper Mill Playhouse Season". Broadway.com.
- ^ Mystic Pizza Papermill Cast and Crew
- ^ Mystic Pizza Papermill