Ariana DeBose to lead THE BAKER'S WIFE at Classic Stage Company- Page 7

[inception]

Posted: 11/21/25 at 10:14pm

Most people prefer to go into a show NOT knowing all the ins & outs of the plot.  Unfortunately for this show,  it is perhaps best enjoyed when you are prepared for where it goes.

A young lady seated beside me tonight was so completely angry at the break for intermission.  She was just furious that the Wife would leave her husband for a creepy stalker type guy.  That's a paraphrase of her words.

So I don't know that this would do well if it were to try to move Uptown.  Too many people might have the same reaction as this young woman.

But I really enjoyed it.  I think I had a better time than I did at Ragtime.  In that show I was getting upset by Coalhouse's actions - probably because I hadn't studied that show as closely beforehand.

I thought DeBose's vocals were just gorgeous.  Her voice reminded me of Diana Ross - especially Ross's vocals on the theme from Mahogany. I'd love to hear DeBose sing that.

While I was watching I did see some of the little things people here had complained about.  But maybe I'm just more forgiving. Like the comment someone made about how they staged the final moments of Meadowlark.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

DeBose sings most of the song from an upper balcony, but then as she decides to run off has to turn her back to the audience and climb down the trellis. Yes an awkward staging.  Also at the song end she runs off stage, but this is when the audience wants to give her a big long applause, but she's no longer on stage! 

 

[inception]

Posted: 11/22/25 at 1:18am

Still got the bug where the page doesn't turn I see

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/22/25 at 8:22am

inception said: "Most people prefer to go into a show NOTknowing all the ins & outs of the plot. Unfortunately for this show, it is perhaps best enjoyed when you are prepared for where it goes.

A young lady seated beside me tonight was so completely angry at the break for intermission. She was just furious that the Wife would leave her husband for a creepy stalker type guy. That's a paraphrase of her words.

So I don't know that this would do well if it were to try to move Uptown. Too many people might have the same reaction as this young woman.

But I really enjoyed it. I think I had a better time than I did at Ragtime. In that show I was getting upset by Coalhouse's actions - probably because I hadn't studied that show as closely beforehand.

I thought DeBose's vocals were just gorgeous. Her voicereminded me of Diana Ross - especially Ross's vocals on the theme from Mahogany. I'd love to hear DeBose sing that.

While I was watching I did see some of the little things people here had complained about. But maybe I'm just more forgiving. Like the comment someone made about how they staged the final moments of Meadowlark.

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

DeBose sings most of the song from an upper balcony, but then as she decides to run off has to turn her back to the audience and climb down the trellis. Yes an awkward staging. Also at the song end she runs off stage, but this is when the audience wants to give her a big long applause, but she's no longer on stage!

"

Were you in house left? Because I overheard a very similar convo last night haha. I really enjoyed it. I somewhat agree with the person sitting next to you (I feel like the “beautiful young man” needs a bit more of a something so we want her to go with him) but I found the whole show rather charming. Judy Kuhn in particular was lovely as always. I thought the little arcs of all the townspeople were very nice. I enjoyed the storytelling devise of the cat. I thought it was cast very well. The set is the best CSC has ever looked. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 11/22/25 at 1:14pm

Any chance this extends by two weeks? I’m heartbroken to be just missing it. 

[inception]

Posted: 11/22/25 at 3:47pm

Yes I was house left.  She & her friend were right beside and she was really angry.

bwayobsessed said: "
Were you in house left? Because I overheard a very similar convo last night haha. I really enjoyed it. I somewhat agree with the person sitting next to you (I feel like the “beautiful young man” needs a bit more of a something so we want her to go with him) but I found the whole show rather charming. Judy Kuhn in particular was lovely as always. I thought the little arcs of all the townspeople were very nice. I enjoyed the storytelling devise of the cat. I thought it was cast very well. The set is the best CSC has ever looked."

 

[corninthesky]

Posted: 11/22/25 at 11:09pm

Really loved this. Dated at times? Yes. But the immersive experience kept me pulled in. While I could agree with the lack of material for the baker’s wife in act two, I actually enjoyed getting more from the other townspeople. Well-crafted show that is tightly directed. Not sure it would do great uptown, but would love to get a definitive cast recording made at the very least!

[HJ2]

Posted: 11/24/25 at 10:43am

corninthesky said: "Really loved this…”


This review agrees with that assessment but I’m pretty sure they had body mikes, no?

https://t2conline.com/ariana-debose-and-scott-bakula-break-and-mend-hearts-in-schwartzs-lush-revival-of-the-bakers-wife/

 

[inception]

Posted: 11/25/25 at 12:54am

Yes they had mics.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 11/30/25 at 4:59pm

Thought this was so sweet and really enjoyed it, but oh man, still not a fan of DeBose. Her voice was nice, but I feel nothing from her acting. I WANT to like her, but I really just don’t think she’s good, so I kind of didn’t want *SPOILERS* him to take her back. She plays every character like herself, and don’t get me started on the French (?) accent. Everyone else won me over. Bakula and the entire supporting cast were charming. Felt like a solid mix of Fiddler’s Anatevka personalities and the residents of Beauty and the Beast who find Belle to be a nuisance. That’s a solid mix. If it does transfer, which I don’t actually think it should, they should find a new Wife.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/2/25 at 1:17pm

My magical friend Steve will play Antoine starting December 9th through closing :)

Steve!

 

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/3/25 at 3:13pm

Broadway World has offered some video highlights of the show

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Highlights-from-THE-BAKERS-WIFE-Starring-Ariana-DeBose-Scott-Bakula-20251203?utm_source=alertshow&utm_medium=email

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/3/25 at 6:23pm

Sutton Ross said: "My magical friend Steve will play Antoine starting December 9th through closing :)
 

So cute that you think you have a friend. 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 12/3/25 at 6:46pm

HJ2 said: "Broadway World has offered some video highlights of theshow

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Exclusive-Highlights-from-THE-BAKERS-WIFE-Starring-Ariana-DeBose-Scott-Bakula-20251203?utm_source=alertshow&utm_medium=email"

Interesting that they barely show Ariana.

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/6/25 at 7:01am

Anyone have an update on the possibility of a transfer and/or news about when they plan to record a cast album?

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 12/6/25 at 8:39am

HJ2 said: "Anyone have an update on the possibility of a transfer and/or news about when they plan to record a cast album?"

Given that they wanted Circle in the Square and Just In Time extended through (at least) the end of March, my guess is not this season

[UWS10023]

Posted: 12/13/25 at 6:02am

I have had a ticket to this for months and was so looking forward to it. I went the other night and when the baker walked on stage, it was not Scott Bakula. I was so disappointed. The understudy had no charisma, and there was no chemistry between he and the female lead. He didn’t look that much older than her. Because of his weak performance everything seemed contrived. He did hit his marks for lighting cues but beyond that I thought I was watching a dinner theater performer. I realize actors get sick and life goes on, but I know had Scott been on, the production would’ve had more heart.

 

 

 

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/13/25 at 12:28pm

Have there been a lot of absences lately? I know Ariana was out last Sunday matinee. 

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 12/13/25 at 2:51pm

Fordham2015 said: "HJ2 said: "Anyone have an update on the possibility of a transfer and/or news about when they plan to record a cast album?"

Given that they wanted Circle in the Square and Just In Time extended through (at least) the end of March, my guess is not this season"

October ‘26.

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/14/25 at 9:10am

Falsettolands said: "Fordham2015 said: "HJ2 said: "Anyone have an update on the possibility of a transfer and/or news about when they plan to record a cast album?"

Given that they wanted Circle in the Square and Just In Time extended through (at least) the end of March, my guess is not this season"

October ‘26."

 

Will look forward!! Any word on when they are planning to record the album?

 

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/15/25 at 12:42pm

According to Playbill, TBWis going to be filmed for the theatre library. Great news, IMHO

https://playbill.com/article/the-bakers-wife-starring-ariana-debose-and-scott-bakula-will-be-filmed-for-theatre-on-film-and-tape-archive

[steven22]

Posted: 12/20/25 at 9:52pm

Saw this tonight and I really enjoyed it. I knew nothing about the show prior to going in other than Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics. A few understudies were on tonight but everyone seemed great to me. I hope this transfers and I hope we get a cast album soon! Nathan Lane and Lin Manuel were in attendance tonight. 

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 12:22am

I saw this last week and had mixed thoughts on the show itself but thought it was a wonderful production with a top-notch cast (minus Dominique, I am sorry to say... but I don't fault the actor, I just really think he was miscast. Maybe some of it was also an issue with direction? Someone should tell him to stop flopping around like that during "Proud Lady."). Judy Kuhn is such a treasure. Such great work. 

Another thing to note --- the reduced orchestrations by David Cullen are simply gorgeous! Such wonderful, wonderful work --- and so well-conducted too. 

[inception]

Posted: 12/22/25 at 9:46am

steven22 said: " Nathan Lane and Lin Manuel were in attendance tonight."

I wonder why they waited until closing weekend to see it?  Maybe out of town until the holidays working on projects?  If even celebs find it hard to get in to see something, I think that shows it should have extended again.

I've done three X-mas trips to NYC in the past 10 years - the last being in 2023 - but it looks more and more going forward thatlt it will no longer be an ideal time to visit if you hope to see as much as possible.  Last year (2024) I actually enjoyed the chance to see some things that flopped hard by going earlier in the Fall (eg Swept Away & Big Gay Jamboree).  This year 3 of the things I saw off- Bwy also have already closed.   I'm mostly being selfish because traveling at X-mas would mean using less vacation days.  This week I'm tuck staying home & watching TV mostly.  I've got all of this season's Elsbeth so far PVR'd & waiting to be binged.  No spoilers please. 😀

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/23/25 at 2:22pm

Another review

https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/12/18/the-bakers-wife-is-a-pure-delight/

[HJ2]

Posted: 12/23/25 at 2:26pm

HJ2 said: "Another review

https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/12/18/the-bakers-wife-is-a-pure-delight/"

 

 

 

and still another!

 

https://frontmezzjunkies.com/2025/12/22/csc-the-bakers-wife/