Did Reviewers Have Fun at Cyndi Lauper’s Working Girl Musical?

Did Reviewers Have Fun at Cyndi Lauper’s Working Girl Musical?

Plus, get a primary have a look at the world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in California.

Cyndi Lauper’s musical adaptation of the 1988 movie Working Girl opened at La Jolla Playhouse November 10. And the critiques, in addition to a primary have a look at the manufacturing and its very ’80s hair, are out. Plus, it has been prolonged by two weeks to December 14.

Lauper is writing the music whereas Theresa Rebeck (Smash) is writing the guide for the brand new musical. Pop singer Joanna “JoJo” Levesque (whose earlier stage credit embrace Moulin Rouge!) performs the eponymous working woman Tess. Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Spamalot) performs Tess’ boss Katharine.

The musical is directed by Tony winner Christopher Ashley (Come From Away) and choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby.  

Read the critiques beneath.

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Playbill will proceed to replace this record as critiques are available in.

The forged additionally options Ashley Blanchet (Frozen) as Cyn, Anoop Desai (What We Do within the Shadows) as Jack, and Joey Taranto (Jesus Christ Superstar on the Hollywood Bowl) as Mick. In the ensemble shall be Jacqueline Arnold, Jesse Bhamrah, Michael Genet, Bailey Lee, Amy Hillner Larsen, Ashley Levin, Nathan Madden, Alisa Melendez, Sydni Moon, Jennifer Perry, Julio Rey, Elliot Sagay and Ian Ward; and Swings: Patricia Jewel, Jaxon Smith, Gabi Stapula, and Sean Watkinson.

The present will even function extra music and lyrics by Rob Hyman and Sammy James, Jr.; scenic design by AMP that includes Erica Jiaying Zhang; costume design by Linda Cho; lighting design by Amanda Zieve; sound design by Gareth Owen; projection design by Hana S. Kim; wig design by Charles G. LaPointe; music supervision by Stephen Oremus; affiliate music supervision by Brian Usifer; music route by Julie McBride; orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, Brian Usifer, and Scott Wasserman; sensitivity specialist Ann C. James; casting by The Telsey Office, Rachel Hoffman, and Hannah Reinert; stage administration by Victoria Navarro; and assistant stage administration by Alexa Burn and Derric Nolte.

Directed for the display screen by Mike Nichols, Working Girl premiered in 1988 and went on to obtain the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. The movie follows an bold secretary from Staten Island who facilitates a large-scale merger within the absence of her boss—by posing as her.

Working Girl marks Lauper’s first authentic musical to take the stage since her Tony-winning Kinky Boots. The musical has been within the works way back to 2017. Smash creator Rebeck joined because the undertaking’s guide author in 2022, turning into the third introduced author on the undertaking.

Working Girl marks Ashley’s ultimate directorial undertaking after 18 years as La Jolla Playhouse’s Rich Family Artistic Director; he’ll transfer to New York to guide Roundabout Theatre Company starting January 2026.

“For nearly two decades, La Jolla Playhouse has been my home, my family, and the cornerstone of my career—fulfilling my passions as both an artist and a member of this extraordinary creative community,” mentioned Ashley in a press release. “I cannot think of a better show to wrap up my time here than Working Girl. This truly joyful new musical—based on the beloved ‘80s film, but very much in conversation with our current moment—perfectly encapsulates the Playhouse’s unwavering commitment to developing new works for the American Theatre.”

Visit LajollaPlayhouse.org.