The Heart at La Jolla Playhouse

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 4:47pm

Book- Kait Kerrigan

Electronic score - Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath

Direction- Christopher Ashley

Choreography by Mandy Moore

 

 

Updated On: 9/2/25 at 04:47 PM

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 4:51pm

I haven’t seen it although it seems to be getting a really positive reaction out of California. Based on the trailer, it’s giving Come from away meets Redwood vibes. 

[THDavis]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 5:18pm

I caught this a few nights ago. I REALLY enjoyed myself. It doesn’t scream BROADWAY to me but I doubt this will be the last we see of it. Kerrigan’s book is surprisingly strong (I only say that as someone who has seen a lot of growth in her lyrics, but didn’t love Gatsby’s book) and the music is fine/good, but it could use some work as far as streamlining them into the story more naturally. 
 

Performance wise, there wasn’t a weak link in the cast. And some of the music REALLY showcased the performers talent more than it necessarily helped the story, but I can’t imagine anyone was upset about it with that cast lineup. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 7:13pm

Saw a reading of it last summer and adored it. The music is great, and with Eisendrath’s involvement with wildly successful KPop Demon Hunters, I feel like it’ll have some good buzz. The cast also really is top-notch.

The uphill battle is making people get past its depressing sounding plot synopsis - a young surfer is on life support after an accident and his parents must decide whether to keep him alive or donate his organs. Despite the fact that it is about that, it’s incredibly hopeful and uplifting. Hope it continues to have life (pun intended) after La Jolla!

[suzycat]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 7:31pm

I also saw a workshop last year and thought it was incredibly good. Similar in pace & storytelling style to Come From Away, with music that really surprised me. I hope we get to see it in NY. 

[Idiot]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 8:47pm

Seeing this on Sept. 20 and can't wait.  Ever since I read the premise when this production was announced I've been excited to see it. 

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 9/2/25 at 9:13pm

I guess this is looking to come to Broadway?  I wonder if this would be produced by roundabout since Christopher Ashley is going over there 

[bruzson]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 7:26pm

Mistakenly created a new thread so here's my post:

'The Heart' at La Jolla Playhouse is easily the best thing we've seen there since we moved to San Diego 6 years ago.  Inventive, heart-warming, incredibly staged and acted, and a swift 82 minutes, it's a must see if you're in So. Cal this month.  Some have compared it to 'Come From Away' as it has a cast of 9 actors playing different roles whilr moving furniture, but that's where the comparisons end.  I won't say more other than to urge you to see it for yourselves.

 

 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 8:05pm

We live a scant few miles from the La Jolla Playhouse.  Over the years we've seen a number of productions there, but will not see "The Heart".  But, as with all their shows, we hope it will be a rousing success.

We are, however, excited to be seeing what is being called a funny "delicious new play" about Julia Child, "The Recipe," February/March 2026.  Cast has not yet been announced.    
 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/26/25 at 9:55am

FIRST IN THE BRIEFING:
Keep Up: The Making of The Heart, a four-part docuseries that follows the creation of the new musical The Heart which is currently running at La Jolla Playhouse, has been announced. From the first movement workshop in New York City to its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, viewers get rare access inside the making of a new musical. Episodes of Keep Up: The Making of The Heart will premiere Sunday evenings on the And That’s ShowbizYouTube channel, beginning October 12 at 7pm EST. Trailer: https://bway.ly/q4y1d3

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/26/25 at 10:24am

This has the commercial producers of COME FROM AWAY and MEMPHIS behind it (Sue Frost & Randy Adams' Junkyard Dog Productions). Given the response, I would expect to see it on Broadway this season or next. Could be a much-needed boost to the current Broadway season.

[malcs98]

Posted: 9/26/25 at 12:15pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "FIRST IN THE BRIEFING:
Keep Up: The Making of The Heart, a four-part docuseries that follows the creation of the new musicalTheHeartwhich is currently running atLa Jolla Playhouse, has been announced. From the first movement workshop in New York City to its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, viewers get rare access inside the making of a new musical. Episodes of Keep Up: The Making of The Heart will premiere Sunday evenings on theAnd That’s ShowbizYouTube channel,beginning October 12 at 7pm EST.Trailer:https://bway.ly/q4y1d3"

I really do believe what Katherine Quinn as her team of And That’s Showbiz are doing is truly changing the theatre industry and business one venture at a time! I cannot wait to start watching this 

[Left Coast Theater Enjoyer]

Posted: 9/28/25 at 10:44pm

Haven't opened this board in a while, I saw it a few weeks ago.  I found it tight, compelling and well done with an exceptional cast.  But listening to audience convos before and after the show (eavesdropping has such a negative slant), many seem to be hung up on the "downer subject" aspect (the person in front of me said this to their seatmate).  I had the thought as the show progressed that I'm not sure how well this works as a commercial venture, but could do very well as an art piece with popular crossover at a subscription house.  Shared this with a friend, who reminded me director Chris Ashley starts at Roundabout July of next year...

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 3:07am

Left Coast Theater Enjoyer said: "Haven't opened this board ina while, I saw it a few weeks ago. I found it tight, compelling and well done with an exceptional cast. But listening to audience convos before and after the show (eavesdropping has such a negative slant), many seem to be hung up on the "downer subject" aspect (the person in front of me said this to their seatmate). I had the thought asthe show progressed that I'm not sure how well this works as a commercial venture, but could do very well as anart piece with popular crossover at a subscription house. Shared this with a friend, who reminded me director Chris Ashley starts at Roundabout July of next year..."

I’ve said since day one that the “downer” subject matter is this show’s uphill battle, but the show itself has a hopeful outlook. Kind of the same as Come From Away actually, but people are more culturally invested in 9/11.

The music is this show’s secret weapon (I did not feel that way about CFA), and they’ve done a good job so far of releasing videos that highlight that. Fully agree that a subscription house would be a great place for this.

[FightTheDragons]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 12:27pm

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to when I visited it in San Diego. The music is wonderful, the design works (despite my skepticism about it in videos and production photos), and the performances are top-notch. I don't think it's Broadway-ready yet, but it could be.

The problem here is that it's really two shows, with one show being vastly better in quality and interest than the other. There's an intense, breakneck medical drama with a fascinating philosophical question at its core that runs the plot along at an incredible pace, and a slow, boring interpersonal family drama that doesn't do much but slow down the pacing and add unnecessary characters. If they cut the girlfriend character, give Blickenstaff and/or Nolan more to do, and edit an overall 15-ish minutes of the 80 minute show, they may have a genuinely stunning show on their hands. It's not manufacturing emotion, it's real and interesting with an engaging and innovative score that actually has something to say. I'm rooting for it.

[henrike]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 10:30pm

Compared to Redwood (only bringing this up, since this also had its pre-Broadway run at La Jolla Playhouse), I thought The Heart was better, but only marginally. And I agree with FightTheDragons that there are two stories that are being told. Naturally, you'd think that the donor's story and the recipient's story would mesh together, and somehow create a compelling circle-of-life moment. Except it failed to do that.

The opening number with the EDM/techno beat (I think? I don't remember) featuring the ensemble of super-serious actors strutting down up/down the stage in a line was cringey. And that set the tone for the rest of the show. 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

We hear about Zachary Noah Piser's character having his generic, happy solo while he's on a surfboard, and he gets into an accident. We don't get to truly see what he lost, aside from the predicable "he had so much life ahead of him." The girlfriend character does nothing. The parents are crying and forcing out their emotions, but we've seen that 1000x of times on thousands of medical drama episodes. 

On the other hand, Heidi Blickenstaff's role (the receipient of the heart) gets a surprise call at her birthday party. Her character is fun, self-aware, a bit crass, yet there's not much for her to do aside from write a letter to the donor's parents. 

What else happens? IMO, nothing. I went in not knowing what the show was going to be out, and I came out feeling like nothing was surprising or uniquely insightful.  

Unless there's a DRASTIC change to the book, it'll get mixed reviews and close within 3-4 months on Broadway. If I were an investor, I'd be wary. 

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 9/29/25 at 10:51pm

henrike said: "Compared to Redwood (only bringing this up, since this also had its pre-Broadway run at La Jolla Playhouse), I thought The Heart was better, but only marginally. And I agree with FightTheDragons that there are two stories that are being told. Naturally, you'd think that the donor's story and the recipient's story would mesh together, and somehow create a compelling circle-of-life moment. Except it failed to do that.

The opening number with the EDM/techno beat (I think? I don't remember) featuring the ensemble of super-serious actors strutting down up/down the stage in a line was cringey. And that set the tone for the rest of the show.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

We hear about Zachary Noah Piser's character having his generic, happy solo while he's on a surfboard, and he gets into an accident. We don't get to truly see what he lost, aside from the predicable "he had so much life ahead of him." The girlfriend character does nothing. The parents are crying and forcing out their emotions, but we've seen that 1000x of times on thousands of medical drama episodes.

On the other hand, Heidi Blickenstaff's role (the receipient of the heart) gets a surprise call at her birthday party. Her character is fun, self-aware, a bit crass, yet there's not much for her to do aside from write a letter to the donor's parents.

What else happens? IMO, nothing. I went in not knowing what the show was going to be out, and I came out feeling like nothing was surprising or uniquely insightful.

Unless there's a DRASTIC change to the book, it'll get mixed reviews and close within 3-4 months on Broadway. If I were an investor, I'd be wary."

Producers are Shubert favorites. This will come in regardless of the quality. 

[Idiot]

Posted: 9/30/25 at 12:09am

FightTheDragons said: "If they cut the girlfriend character, give Blickenstaff and/or Nolan more to do, and edit an overall 15-ish minutes of the 80 minute show, they may have a genuinely stunning show on their hands."

This is a fantastic note and I think it could improve the show substantially. 

[FightTheDragons]

Posted: 9/30/25 at 1:22am

henrike said: "Compared to Redwood (only bringing this up, since this also had its pre-Broadway run at La Jolla Playhouse), I thought The Heart was better, but only marginally. And I agree with FightTheDragons that there are two stories that are being told. Naturally, you'd think that the donor's story and the recipient's story would mesh together, and somehow create a compelling circle-of-life moment. Except it failed to do that."

I thought the two to be of similar quality in writing, with The Heart having a better score, but Redwood having a much stronger central performance in Menzel (who was at the top of her game when I was lucky enough to see her do the show at La Jolla, where the show was generally much better before taking a nosedive in quality for Broadway). Blickenstaff is great in her own right but doesn't have enough material to flesh out the character; Menzel is better through no fault of Heidi's. I hope that The Heart can take a better journey to Broadway because it seems as though they are doing the correct work needed for it (apparently in the early workshops/readings it was sung through? The book scenes here added much needed depth), my only concern is that I don't tend to think particularly highly of Ashley as a director and I doubt that he can guide the show to where it needs to be. That leaves the work to be done on the Eisendraths and Kerrigan; the Eisendraths are inexperienced and Kerrigan has proven to be somewhat unreliable in terms of quality. I'm pulling for them, but it's certainly an uphill battle.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/12/25 at 8:03pm

First episode of the “Making Of” YouTube show dropped. Making of “The Heart”