A new stage musical adaptation of Beaches will launch what producers are calling a pre-Broadway national tour in the fall of 2026.
Based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart that was adapted into the hit 1988 movie starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, the Beaches musical features music by Mike Stoller (of Leiber and Stoller fame), lyrics by Dart, and book by Dart & Thom Thomas. The musical had its international premiere at Theatre Calgary last year, with a cast that included Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee (the Midler role) and Kelli Barrett as Bertie (called Hillary in the movie and played by Hershey).
Casting and complete production team for the tour will be announced at a later date.
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Producer Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso said, “It is a great honor to bring Beaches the Musical to theatres around the country on our pre-Broadway tour. We can’t wait to share this love story about friendship with US presenters, Broadway, the West End and audiences around the globe.”
The musical, developed in collaboration with David Austin, is directed by Lonny Price (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill) and co-directed by Matt Cowart with choreography by Jennifer Rias.
The official synopsis: “Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter, sorrow, and love. 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.”
The international premiere in Calgary included scenic design by James Noone, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by David Bengali, and wig/make-up design by J. Jared Janas.
Beaches is produced by Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso, Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment, Alison Spiriti for Right Angle Entertainment and Tracey McFarland & Ryan Bogner for Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Next Table Entertainment & Media with Crossroads Live joining the team.
Earlier musical versions of Beaches, with significantly different creative teams and casts involved, were staged in 2014 and 2015.
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