First Wives Club is a musical with music and lyrics by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. The musical is based on the 1996 movie of the same name.
The musical premiered in San Diego, California, in 2009, with a book by Rupert Holmes. A reworked version had a production in Chicago, in 2015, with a new book by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.
Productions
The premiere opened at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, on July 17, 2009, in previews, through August 23, 2009, prior to a projected Broadway engagement. The book was by Rupert Holmes, with a score by the "one-time only reunited" Holland-Dozier-Holland (H-D-H) songwriting team from 1960s Motown soul music fame. Many of the songs in the score (including the first four musical numbers) were Motown hits composed by H-D-H; they also composed new songs for the musical, which were especially prominent in act 2. Francesca Zambello directed. The creators and Zambello were engaged for the project in 2006. An industry reading of the musical was held in February 2009, with principals Ana Gasteyer, Carolee Carmello and Adriane Lenox.
The San Diego cast included Karen Ziemba as Annie, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Elise, Barbara Walsh as Brenda, John Dossett as Aaron, Kevyn Morrow as Bill, Brad Oscar as Morty, Sara Chase as Trophy Wife, and Sam Harris as Duane. Lisa Stevens choreographed, with scenic design by Peter J. Davison and costumes by Paul Tazewell. The production received mixed to negative reviews.
The musical was reworked and a new production opened in Chicago in March 2015 at the Oriental Theatre with a book re-written by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Originating producers Jonas Neilson and Paul Lambert teamed with Elizabeth Williams and John Frost; Simon Phillips directed.