Last Days of Summer (musical)

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Last Days of Summer
MusicJason Howland
LyricsSteve Kluger
BookSteve Kluger
BasisLast Days of Summer
by Steve Kluger
PremiereSeptember 7, 2018: Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Last Days of Summer is a musical with music by Jason Howland and lyrics and a book by Steve Kluger. Based on the 1998 epistolary novel of the same name written by Kluger, the musical made its world premiere try-out at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri in September 2018. The musical centers on Joey Margolis, a young boy living in 1940s Brooklyn and his relationship with Charlie Banks, the all-star third baseman for the New York Giants.

Background[edit]

The musical is based on the 1998 book Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger. A musical adaptation was announced in December 2017 immediately prior to a workshop being held in New York City.[1] Derek Klena, Jackie Burns, and Anthony Rosenthal starred in the industry reading.

It was announced in August 2018 that the musical would premiere at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri in September 2018 with Corey Cott and Emily Padgett slated to star.[2]

It was announced in April 2019 that the musical would open at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey in October 2019.[3]

Productions[edit]

Kansas City Rep (2018)[edit]

The musical began previews at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 7, 2018, for a limited engagement until September 30, 2018. The official opening was on September 14. The production was directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun. The production's design team included scenery by Jason Sherwood, costumes by Loren Shaw, lighting by Jens Schriever, and sound by Ken Travis.[4]

George Street Playhouse (2019)[edit]

The musical ran in New Brunswick, NJ from Oct 15, 2019 until November 10, 2019. Direction and musical staging by Jeff Calhoun.[5]

Characters and original cast[edit]

Character Workshop (2017) Kansas City Repertory Theatre (2018) George Street Playhouse (2019)
Charlie Banks Derek Klena Corey Cott Bobby Conte Thornton
Hazel MacKay Jackie Burns Emily Padgett Teal Wicks
Joey Margolis Anthony Rosenthal Robbie Allan Berson Julian Emile Lerner
Joe Margolis Danny Binstock
Craig Nakamura Jim Kaplan Parker Weathersbee
Stuke Drew Gehling Chris Dwan Will Burton
Ida Margolis Melissa Van Der Schyff Lauren Braton Mylinda Hull
Aunt Carrie Abby Mueller Katie Karel Christine Pedi
Rabbi Lieberman Daniel Jenkins Gary Neal Johnson Don Stephenson
Rachel Julia Antonelli Josephine Pellow Jeslyn Zubrycki
Gordon Bierman Christopher Paul Richards Ben Priestland Sabatino Cruz
Chucky Margolis Gilberto Moretti-Hamilton

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Anastasia's Derek Klena, Wicked's Jackie Burns Star in Last Days of Summer Musical Reading December 7". playbill.com. Playbill. December 7, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "Corey Cott and Emily Padgett Will Star in World Premiere of Last Days of Summer Musical". playbill.com. Playbill. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "George Street Playhouse Season Includes New Musicals Last Days of Summer and A Walk on the Moon". playbill.com. Playbill. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  4. ^ "BWW Review: LAST DAYS OF SUMMER at Kansas City Rep". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. September 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "BWW Review: LAST DAYS OF SUMMER – The New Musical at George Street Playhouse is a Sure-Fire Hit". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. October 29, 2019.