PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi Rehearse Signature Theatre's Beaches

By Joseph Marzullo 11 Feb 2014

Virginia's Signature Theatre will present the world premiere of Beaches, adapted from the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, beginning Feb. 18 at Signature's MAX Theatre. Mara Davi and Alysha Umphress will co-star in the roles originated on screen by Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler.

Advertisement

Directed by Signature artistic director Eric Schaeffer (Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), the musical chronicling a decades-long friendship between two women will star Davi (A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie and Umphress (American Idiot, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom.

Performances will continue through March 23.

Based on the 1985 novel by Dart (later adapted into the 1988 movie with Midler and Hershey), the musical features a book Dart and Thom Thomas, lyrics by Dart and music by David Austin.

Beaches, according to Signature, "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."

"We've assembled an amazing cast along with a terrific creative team to bring this special story to life," said Schaeffer in statement. "Iris, Thom and David have created a magical world of memories and friendship in this heartfelt story for the stage in a very original way."

Joining Davi and Umphress are Clifton Samuels (Follies) as Michael Barron, Matthew Scott (Sondheim on Sondheim, Jersey Boys) as John Perry, Donna Migliaccio (Ragtime) as Leona Bloom, Helen Hedman (Signature's My Fair Lady) as Rose White, Brooklyn Shuck (Annie) as Young Bertie, Presley Ryan (NBC's "The Sound of Music") as Young Cee Cee, Maya Brettell (Studio Theatre's The Big Meal) as Teen Bertie, Gracie Jones (Olney Theatre Center's Spring Awakening) as Teen Cee Cee.

See the rest here:

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi Rehearse Signature Theatre's Beaches