Inspired by True Story, Makes U.S. Premiere at The Goodspeed
EAST HADDAM, Conn. (July 22, 2024) – Goodspeed Musicals proudly welcomes the U.S. premiere of Maggie as its third production of the 2024 season. A heartwarming story about home, family and community, Maggie will run at The Goodspeed from Aug. 23 – Oct. 20 in East Haddam, Conn.
Maggie features a book by Matt Murray, a Toronto-based musical theatre book writer, playwright and lyricist; and Johnny Reid, the critically acclaimed Scottish-born singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide and earned countless awards including a Grammy-nominated album and a SOCAN National Achievement Award. Music is by Johnny Reid, Matt Murray and Bob Foster, a Toronto-based music director, composer and orchestrator/arranger. Lyrics are by Johnny Reid and Matt Murray.
A Scottish mother’s unbreakable love for her three sons is tested in an inspirational new musical about family bonds and changing times. After suffering the unthinkable loss of her husband, Maggie must rely on her strength, sense of humor and fiercely loyal friends to protect her family from a harsh and changing world. Spanning over 20 years, a hardscrabble working class life blossoms with an exceptional soul-stirring pop-folk score. A generation of courageous mothers is celebrated in this rousing U.S. premiere!
Maggie will be played by Christine Dwyer (Broadway: Wicked, Off-Broadway: The Lonely Few). Betty will be played by Terra C. MacLeod (The Goodspeed: Cabaret, Broadway: Chicago). Sadie will be played by Sophia Clarke. Jean will be played by Kennedy Caughell (Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Paradise Square; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1824). Tommy will be played by Wes Williams. Shug will be played by Jeffrey Kringer (Off-Broadway: About Love). Wee Jimmy will be played by Sam Primack (Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen). Uncle Charles will be played by Ryan Duncan (The Terris: Passing Through; Broadway: Gettin’ the Band Back Together, Shrek; Off-Broadway: Titanique). Tam will be played by Matt Faucher (The Goodspeed: Oklahoma!, Camelot; Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Off-Broadway: The Threepenny Opera, I Am Harvey Milk).
The ensemble will feature Jodi Bluestein, Anthony Festa (Off-Broadway: Desperate Measures, Bare), Lyda Jade Harlan (Off-Broadway: SCOUTS), Brian Michael Hoffman (The Goodspeed: Because of Winn Dixie, Off-Broadway: Seussical), Joshua Kring, Emma McGlinchey (Off-Broadway: Titanique), Paul Scanlan, Sonya Venugopal (Broadway: Life of Pi), and Nick Ziobro.
Swings for this production are Jenna Bienvenue and Nathan Quay Thomas.
Maggie will be directed by Mary Francis Moore, artistic director of Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton, Ontario) and award-winning director, playwright and dramaturg recognized for championing new works. EJ Boyle (The Terris: Hi! My Name is Ben, Broadway: Leopoldstadt) will choreograph the production. Music Supervision will be by Bob Foster. Music Direction wil be by Goodspeed’s Resident Music Director Adam Souza (Goodspeed: Over 20 productions including South Pacific, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The 12, Summer Stock, 42nd Street, Because of Winn Dixie; Broadway/National Tour: Wicked, Kinky Boots).
Scenic Design will be by two-time Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt (The Goodspeed: Pippin, Abyssinia; The Terris: Amazing Grace; Broadway: New York, New York (Tony Award); Act One (Tony Award); The Scottsboro Boys). Costume Design will be by Emily Rebholz (The Goodspeed: Because of Winn Dixie; Broadway: Gutenberg! The Musical!, Jagged Little Pill, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune). Lighting Design will be by Japhy Weideman (The Goodspeed: The 12; Broadway: The Heart of Rock and Roll; The Piano Lesson; Summer, 1976). Sound Design will be by Jay Hilton who has designed countless productions at both The Goodspeed and The Terris Theatre and serves as Goodspeed’s Audio Supervisor. Wigs and Hair Design will be by Tommy Kurzman (The Goodspeed: South Pacific, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; The Terris: A Complicated Woman; Broadway: Uncle Vanya, I Need That, Gutenberg! The Musical!). Orchestrations will be by Bob Foster.
Chris Zaccardi will be the Production Stage Manager. Casting for this production is by Paul Hardt / Hardt Casting.
Maggie was commissioned by Halo Entertainment, developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario and world premiered at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario.
Marquee Producing Partners for this production are Jerrold and Patricia Day, Laura and Jim Duncan, Hila and Saul Rosen, and Dick and Mable Seymour.
Maggie will run August 23rd – October 20th, 2024. [Official Press Opening: Sept. 4, 2024.] Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.).
Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open weekdays at 10:00 a.m. and weekends at 11:00 a.m., or online at goodspeed.org. For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more, visit us at goodspeed.org follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT GOODSPEED MUSICALS
Goodspeed Musicals has achieved international acclaim and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards for outstanding achievement in musical theatre. Under the leadership of Donna Lynn Hilton, Artistic Director, and David B. Byrd, Managing Director, Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the celebration, development and advancement of musical theatre. Goodspeed creates powerful, world-class productions of enlightening new and established works to delight, inspire and challenge audiences on its two stages – The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. From Goodspeed, 21 musicals have gone to Broadway (including Man of La Mancha, Annie, Shenandoah and Holiday Inn) and 89 world premieres have been launched. Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals, GoodWorks commissioning program and the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed are distinguished cornerstones of the organization that highlight its commitment to nurture creators and the creative process. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. The organization is supported in part by the Burry Fredrik Foundation; the Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; The Hoffman Auto Group; Masonicare; The Shubert Foundation; and WSHU Public Radio. Additional support is provided by Sennheiser, the official audio sponsor; and United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals. For more information, visit www.goodspeed.org.
FACT SHEET
GOODSPEED MUSICALS
Production: Maggie
Book & Lyrics by: Johnny Reid & Matt Murray
Music by: Johnny Reid, Matt Murray & Bob Foster
Theatre: The Goodspeed, 6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT 06423
www.goodspeed.org
Director: Mary Francis Moore
Choreographer: EJ Boyle
Music Supervisor: Bob Foster
Music Director: Adam Souza
Scenic Designer: Beowulf Boritt
Costume Designer: Emily Rebholz
Lighting Designer: Japhy Weideman
Sound Designer: Jay Hilton
Wigs & Hair Designer: Tommy Kurzman
Orchestrator: Bob Foster
Production Stage Manager: Chris Zaccardi
Casting: Paul Hardt / Hardt Casting
Principals:
Kennedy Caughell (Jean)
Sophia Clarke (Sadie)
Ryan Duncan (Uncle Charles)
Christine Dwyer (Maggie)
Matt Faucher (Tam)
Jeffrey Kringer (Shug)
Terra C. MacLeod (Betty)
Sam Primack (Wee Jimmy)
Wes Williams (Tommy)
Ensemble:
Jodi Bluestein
Anthony Festa
Lyda Jade Harlan
Brian Michael Hoffman
Joshua Kring
Emma McGlinchy
Paul Scanlan
Sonya Venugopal
Nick Ziobro
Swings:
Jenna Bienvenue
Nathan Quay Thomas
Description: A Scottish mother’s unbreakable love for her three sons is tested in an inspirational new musical about family bonds and changing times. After suffering the unthinkable loss of her husband, Maggie must rely on her strength, sense of humor and fiercely loyal friends to protect her family from a harsh world. Spanning over 20 years, a hardscrabble working class life blossoms with a soul-stirring pop-folk score. A generation of courageous mothers is celebrated in this rousing U.S. premiere!
Rating: PG-13
Dates: Aug. 23 – Oct. 20, 2024
Performances: Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.)
Tickets start at $30.00. All prices subject to change based on availability.
Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or online at goodspeed.org