Ariana DeBose to lead THE BAKER'S WIFE at Classic Stage Company- Page 3

[The Bandstand]

Posted: 9/22/25 at 1:03pm

Extended through December 21

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:36am

Any reports from the first preview(s)?

[dan94]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 10:13am

I was there last night.

It's very charming. They've thrown what looks like a lot of money into it. It's the most set I've seen at a CSC show. And 9 musicians in the pit is the most I've seen/heard over there. (I think Passion might have had 9?) They even had a couple of merch items.

The ensemble is incredibly strong. One of the problems with this piece is that it's called The Baker's Wife, but it's about the townspeople. The main character in the movie are the townspeople, and I don't think they've ever been able to replicate that on stage - until this cast. You want to follow Sally Murphy. You care what happens to Judy Kuhn. You're actually charmed by Kevin Del Aguila. Can't be understated how much the townspeople elevate the material here.

Schwartz was in house and looked very happy after the performance.

[somecheapfrenchthing]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 12:44pm

dan94 said: "I was there last night.

It's very charming. They've thrown what looks like a lot of money into it. It's the most set I've seen at a CSC show. And 9 musicians in the pit is the most I've seen/heard over there. (I think Passion might have had 9?) They even had a couple of merch items.

The ensemble is incredibly strong. One of the problems with this piece is that it's called The Baker's Wife, but it's about the townspeople. The main character in the movie are the townspeople, and I don't think they've ever been able to replicate that on stage - until this cast. You want to follow Sally Murphy. You care what happens to Judy Kuhn. You're actually charmed by Kevin Del Aguila. Can't be understated how much the townspeople elevate the material here.

Schwartz was in house and looked very happy after the performance."

 

That’s awesome to hear. Interesting, your note re: the ensemble characters. How was Ariana DeBose and how did she sound on the score? (And mostly what I’m asking is: how was Meadowlark?) Also, how involved in the action are the front row cafe table seats?

 

[dan94]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 3:19pm

Ariana DeBose is a phenomenal dancer. They actually added a dream ballet type thing to the second act so she could dance. That piece frankly could be longer.

The table seats seem like a normal added row. You're right up against the actors, but it's not an immersive experience type show, if that's what you're asking.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 12:47am

dan94 said: "I was there last night.

It's very charming. They've thrown what looks like a lot of money into it. It's the most set I've seen at a CSC show. And 9 musicians in the pit is the most I've seen/heard over there. (I think Passion might have had 9?) They even had a couple of merch items.

The ensemble is incredibly strong. One of the problems with this piece is that it's called The Baker's Wife, but it's about the townspeople. The main character in the movie are the townspeople, and I don't think they've ever been able to replicate that on stage - until this cast. You want to follow Sally Murphy. You care what happens to Judy Kuhn. You're actually charmed by Kevin Del Aguila. Can't be understated how much the townspeople elevate the material here.

Schwartz was in house and looked very happy after the performance."

Thank you for this. Sounds like there’s a chance of a transfer 🤔

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 1:05am

transfer unlikely. 

Updated On: 10/25/25 at 01:05 AM

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 4:42pm

LOL to this:

Q:   "How was Ariana DeBose and how did she sound on the score?"
 

A:   "Ariana DeBose is a phenomenal dancer."

 

Reminds me of:

Jenna Maroney:  "So what did you think?"

Liz Lemon:  "The lighting was really neat."

[HJ2]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 9:44am

Rentaholic2 said: "LOL to this:

Q: "How was Ariana DeBose and how did she sound on the score?"


A: "Ariana DeBose is a phenomenal dancer."

I saw the first preview performance, too, and thought Ariana did a great job vocally. The audience was quite pleased with her rendition of Meadowlark.

 

Scott was impeccable. Sure made you root for Aimable.

 

The ensemble, as mentioned earlier, was superb and definitely took the experience to another level. It wasn’t townspeople vs romance. This edition of the show blended the 2 beautifully and made it come alive. 
 

I miss some songs, too, but, admittedly, their omission tightened it up.

Reminds me of:

Jenna Maroney: "So what did you think?"

Liz Lemon: "The lighting was really neat.""

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 9:58am

I saw a photo on social and the set looks gorgeous and seems to envelop the theatre.

It has commercial producers behind it: Aaron Glick (of the David Stone office) and the verrrry deep-pocketed C. Graham Berwind III. Whether that makes a transfer likely or not remains to be seen based on the run here. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 10:07am

A cast recording has been confirmed internally.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 12:07pm

If it is built for that space maybe it just continues into a commercial run?

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 12:19pm

RippedMan said: "If it is built for that space maybe it just continues into a commercial run?"

They might have some room for another extension, but Marcel on the Train is scheduled to start February 5, and also any extensions would probably be dependent on cast schedules etc.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 2:05pm

I'm sure CSC would be over the moon for some kind of commercial transfer- they have been struggling badly the last few years and they've never had a production transfer before. But it's such a small and unique venue that it's hard to imagine anywhere else their productions can land. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 10/26/25 at 2:28pm

chrishuyen said: "RippedMan said: "If it is built for that space maybe it just continues into a commercial run?"

They might have some room for another extension, but Marcel on the Train is scheduled to start February 5, and also any extensions would probably be dependent on cast schedules etc."

FYI I'm going to be in NY the first week of January, and I wrote to CSC last month asking if there's a possibility of a further extension so I know whether to keep a slot open. They responded that "given existing commitments, a further extension appears unlikely." However, they added that "as with all things in theater, nothing can be stated with absolute finality until officially announced." I'm still keeping my fingers crossed because I desperately want to see this!