THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (2009-2009): Remembrance Thread

Some of you may be too young to remember this, but July 17, 2009 was the date of the first preview of The Old Globe's pre-Broadway (Broadway itself remains to be seen) production of THE FIRST WIVES CLUB starring Karen Ziemba, Barbara Walsh, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

To commemorate the second anniversary of this groundbreaking American musical, I wanted to start a thread for interested parties to share memories and/or testimonials about what THE FIRST WIVES CLUB means to us.

I'll be posting mine, of course, but first I'd like to open the floor to anyone else who'd like to participate.
"Ready for Change / Jump for Joy" clip

I'm red-day for change!


Seriously though, I never saw the show live but watching The Old Globe's preview videos gave me the impression that it was one of those so-bad-it's-good type shows, like In My Life or Good Vibrations.

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It was, James. It was... (sheds tear)

Still awaiting a cast recording.

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"Gonna be outrageous! Contagious!"

I remember the video blogs Sam Harris used to do while he was driving.

Gonna have a remembrance! Dismembermence!

They couldn't Jump For Joy.

I want the revival to star Frank Wildhorn, Bono & Andrew Lloyd Webber.

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Ladies, gentlemen, and (first) wives,

I give you Barbara Walsh's stirring Act 1 finale. A few highlights:

:40 - Watch her forlornly wipe that counter. This woman is truly in pain.

:45 - "Just keeps hold on..." Wha?

1:23 - Twirls necklace. I bet cheating hubby gave her that necklace! (At least in the backstory she's worked out in her head, no thanks to the script).

1:30 - Reaches out during lyric "I keep reaching out." Literal staging, thy name is Zambello.

1:38 - Clutches heart during "love."

1:44-1:45 - Keyboardist messes up. Listen carefully.

1:54 - I am obsessed with this production's use of chimes.

2:03 - Turns on phone, reaches friend's voicemail without even dialing.

2:27 - Picks up wedding ring. Could she really be ready to try again??

2:37 - Bad ass rock star pose.

2:43 - Vibrato getting intense.

2:50-2:52 - Slips ring on her finger, holds it close. She's willing but still bruised. Heartbreaking!

2:56 - Spreads her arms, ready to fly!

3:01-3:03 - "Annnndddd aaahhhhh wiiiiil..." Vibrato reaches a thrilling crescendo!

3:11 - Those pesky chimes again!

3:25 - Craziest vibrato yet as Zambello rips off the Act 1 finale of DREAMGIRLS.

3:32 - Could the rest of the cast look any less enthused to be back onstage?

3:36-3:38 - Particularly the black female ensemble member. Just look at that swagger!

3:45 - Barbara puts her hand on her heart "one more time" as history is made!
"My Heart Wants To Try One More Time"

I love Barbara Walsh, but... yikes.

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I'd rather watch Deliverance the musical!