The Witches of Eastwick is a 2000 musical based on the 1984 novel of the same name by John Updike. It was adapted by John Dempsey (lyrics and book) and Dana P. Rowe (music), directed by Eric Schaeffer, and produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
The story is based around three female protagonists, the 'Witches': Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont. Frustrated and bored by their mundane lives in the town of Eastwick, a shared longing and desire for "all manner of man in one man" comes to life in the form of a charismatic stranger, a devil-like character, Darryl Van Horne. Seducing each of the women in turn, Darryl teaches them how to expand the powers locked within, though their new unorthodox lifestyle scandalizes the town. As these powers become more sinister and events spiral out of control, the women come to realise that Darryl's influence is corrupting everyone he comes into contact with and resolve to use their new-found strength to exile him from their lives.
Productions
Original London production Starring Ian McShane in the role of Darryl Van Horne and Maria Friedman (Sukie), Lucie Arnaz (Alexandra) and Joanna Riding (Jane) as the three witches, the show began its preview period in London's West End on June 24, 2000, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Opening on July 18 to mixed-positive reviews, the decision was taken to transfer to the more intimate Prince of Wales Theatre from March 23, 2001. Ian McShane left and was replaced by his understudy, Earl Carpenter, whilst the physical production was revised to fit in the smaller theatre. A number of lyrics and scenes were revised and the song 'Who's the Man?' was replaced with a rousing gospel number entitled 'The Glory of Me'. A general cast change from July 1, 2001, saw Clarke Peters lead the company, with Josefina Gabrielle and Rebecca Thornhill as Alex and Sukie respectively, joining Joanna Riding who stayed with the show after receiving the Olivier Award nomination for the role.Archives, 'The Witches of Eastwick' albemarle-london.com, accessed July 24, 2010 The show received generally favourable reviews with the second cast but, after a 17-month run, closed on October 27, 2001.
Original London cast ensemble Jasna Ivir as Gina Marino Tim Walton as Joe Marino Anne-Marie McCormack as Gretta Neff Kevin Wainwright as Raymond Neff Lisa Peace as Marge Persley Shaun Henson as Homer Persley Earl Carpenter as Reverend Ed Parsley Kathryn Akin as Brenda Parsley Jocelyn Hawkyard as Rebecca Barnes Nick Searle as Toby Bergman Valda Aviks as Eudora Bryce Matt Dempsey as Curtis Hallerbread Scarlett Strallen as Mavis Jessup Julia Sutton as Franny Lovecraft Chris Holland as Frank Ogden Alison Forbes as Mabel Ogden Maurice Lane as Dr Henry Pattison Jean McGlynn as Marcy Wills Sarah Lark as Little Girl
Australia, Russia, and Czech Republic The first international production opened in Australia at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Starring Paul McDermott as Darryl van Horne, with Marina Prior, Angela Toohey and Pippa Grandison as Jane, Alexandra and Sukie respectively, with Sabrina Batshon, future finalist of Australian Idol season 7, as The Little Girl, and Matt Lee as Michael Spofford, the show began previews on 19 August 2002.Thomson, Helen."McDermott leads a devilish dance", theage.com, August 26, 2002 Revisions made to the show included minor changes to lyrics, an extended dance break in 'A Little Town', and the excision of one number, 'Loose Ends'. The show closed in Melbourne on 17 November 2002, with the anticipated tour dates in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney being cancelled.
The Russian production opened in Moscow on 12 March 2003 using new sets as well as on-stage rain and fire effects. The role of Darryl van Horne was double-cast with Dmitriy Pevtsov and Aleksey Kortnev sharing the part. Other roles were similarly played by two or three actors. A revival was staged in 2007, with scaled down sets and effects, and Pevtsov reprising his role.
The premiere in the Czech Republic opened in February 2007 at the Brno City Theatre , directed by Stanislav Moša and choreographed by Igor Barberić. The show was translated into Czech by Jiří Josek and produced the first commercial recording since the Original London Cast album. This production was also notable for its use of alternates, having most lead character played by two or more actors.
U.S. premiere (2007) The American premiere opened at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia in a limited engagement from June 5, 2007, to July 15, 2007. Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the original director and Signature Theatre's Artistic Director, the cast starred Marc Kudisch as Darryl Van Horne, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Sukie Rougemont, Emily Skinner as Alexandra Spofford, and Christiane Noll as Jane Smart.Jones, Kenneth.Witches of Eastwick—Skinner, Noll & Donovan—Sing in Revised U.S. Staging of Onetime London Musical" Playbill, June 15, 2007 Kudisch received the Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical.
The authors made numerous changes to the show. Numbers were abbreviated ("Eastwick Knows"), cut ("I Love A Little Town") and added ("Your Wildest Dreams"). Scenes and songs were re-arranged,Marks, Peter. "'The Witches' of Shirlington;Retooled Musical Gets Another Chance To Fly at Signature", The Washington Post, June 10, 2007 and the production received positive notices. The Washington Post reviewer wrote that "The musical adaptation has way more kick than the wispy 1987 film.... It's on the technical level that [Eric Schaeffer]'s production still has kinks to work out, for until the actresses are airborne... the mechanics look and feel clunky."Marks, Peter. The Washington Post, "'Witches of Eastwick' Spells Wicked Fun", June 19, 2007, p. C1 BroadwayWorld.com stated that "director Eric Schaeffer certainly pulls The Witches of Eastwick all together... does it ever succeed."Shubow, Charles. "Wicked 'Witches of Eastwick' at Signature Theatre", June 22, 2007 CultureVulture.net commented that the show is "full of body-shaking thunder, raunchy behavior, and surprises. Gut reaction based on the performance seen June 17 says this show will make it to Broadway and be reasonably successful there."Alenier, Karren L. "The Witches of Eastwick" culturevulture.net, June 17, 2007 Talkin' Broadway wrote that the "Broadway actors... give memorable and funny performances in the four lead roles.... Choreographer Karma Camp gets a chance to show off in this production."Berlin, Susan. "The Witches of Eastwick", talkinbroadway.com, 2007
Original 2007 U.S. premiere cast ensemble David Corington as Joe Marino Tammy Roberts as Gina Marino Jeremy Benton as Raymond Neff Amy McWilliams as Gretta Neff Ilona Dulaski as Marge Perley Thomas Adrian Simpson as Reverend Ed Parsley Sherri L. Edelen as Brenda Parsley Diego Preito as Frank Ogden Matt Conner as Toby Bergeman Brianne Cobuzzi as Rebecca Barnes
UK tour (2008–2009) A new, touring production opened on 23 August 2008 at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. Directed by Nikolai Foster with design by Peter Mckintosh, choreography by Geoffrey Garratt and musical direction by Tom Deering, the production visited a further 26 cities before finishing at the King's Theatre, Glasgow on 9 May 2009. Marti Pellow starred as Darryl van Horne, Ria Jones as Alexandra, Poppy Tierney as Jane and, reprising her role from the London production, Rebecca Thornhill as Sukie. The creative team collaborated with the writers on further changes to the material, incorporating many of the rewrites from the American premiere, and making more, such as re-expanding "Eastwick Knows", adding a reprise of "Dance with the Devil" to close the exorcism scene, and reinstating "Loose Ends".
Original 2008 UK tour cast ensemble Russel Leighton Dixon as Joe Marino Ngo Omene Ngofa as Gina Marino Gregory Clarke as Raymond Neff Claire Platt as Gretta Neff Julie Stark as Marge Perley Ralph Birtwell as Reverend Ed Parsley Samantha Mercer as Brenda Parsley Ross Finnie as Frank Ogden Oliver Watton as Toby Bergman Vikki Lee Taylor as Rebecca Barnes
Brazil (2011) The show opened at Teatro Bradesco in São Paulo on August 13, 2011. The production starred comedy actresses Maria Clara Gueiros and Fafy Siqueira as Alexandra and Felicia, respectively, and minor television actor Eduardo Galvão as Darryl.
Slovenia (2012) The show opened at Ljubljana festival 2012, where was a part of main festival events. It is the first Slovenian production, made by Ljubljana City Theatre. The show was very successful and had a huge number of performances. It was directed by Stanislav Moša.
2012 Slovenian cast ensemble Tomaž Pipan as Joe Boris Kerč as Raymond Domen Anžlovar as Ed Stannia Boninsegna as Brenda Marijana Jaklič Klanšek as Greta Maja Boh Hočevar as Gina
Austria (2013) The show opened at the newly erected Musiktheater Linz on April 13, 2013. It was the first production of the new Musical Theatre Department of Landestheater Linz. It was translated into German by Roman Hinze, directed by Matthias Davids and choreographed by Melissa King. It was played in repertoire for 27 performances until January 26, 2014
Norway (2014) The show opened at Sandvika Teater in Bærum just outside Oslo on March 27, 2014. This was the first time the show was performed in Scandinavia. The Production was performed by a local Musical Theatre Company named BærMuDa. Directed and choreographed by Christer Tornell and Nina Lill Svendsen. It was a limited run and closed April 5, 2014
Poland (2018) The show started a new season in the Syrena Theatre in the Polish capital Warsaw on March 3, 2018. It was translated into Polish and directed by Jacek Mikolajczyk, the Syrena Theatre's new director, and choreographed by Jaroslaw Staniek. Having received positive reviews of the critics and the audience it is still in the repertoire of the theatre.
Sweden (2019) A Swedish production opened at Cirkus in Stockholm on September 19, 2019. Directed by Edward af Sillén and translated by af Sillén and Daniel Rehn it featured original London cast member Peter Jöback in the male lead role and Linda Olsson, Vanna Rosenberg and Kayo as the three witches.
Other productions The Ogunquit Playhouse staged the American Northeast premiere of The Witches of Eastwick musical at the historic southern Maine theatre September 3–27, 2014. Cast included James Barbour as Darryl Van Horne, Nancy Anderson as Sukie, Sara Gettelfinger as Alexandra, Mamie Parris as Jane Smart, and Sally Struthers as Felicia. Members of the creative team including director Shaun Kerrison, musical director and supervisor Julian Bigg, and authors John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe revisited the material and made a number of changes. A new song for Darryl and Alexandra replaced "Your Wildest Dreams" and the number "I Love a Little Town" was re-instated.
In April 2014, the Musical Theatre Strand at The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon, UK staged a production of The Witches Of Eastwick as part of the Musical Theatre Final Major Project Season 2014. Cast included Tarrin Callendar as Daryl Van Horne, Sadie Shirley and Kiera Magurie as Alexandra Spofford, Katie Shalka and Erica Lebedeva as Jane Smart, Kirsty King and Eloise Rudkin as Sukie Rougemont, Jake Watkins and Daniel Maybury as Michael Spofford, Joseph Press as Clyde Gabriel and Eleanor Walsh as Felicia Gabriel. The production was staged in the BRIT Theatre. The Creative Team included Robert Holt (Director), Kerry Quinn (Musical Director) and Sam Spencer-Lane (Choegrapher). There were Student Creative Team Leaders including Dylan Lee (Assistant Director), Daniel Maybury (Vocal Leader), Joseph Press and Eleanor Walsh (Dance Captains).