“Double, double toil and trouble,” Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth’s “Song of the Witches,” but in the musical comedy, “Witches of Eastwick,” Slow Burn Theatre Company’s 15th season opener in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, these women sing a different song – one of women’s empowerment.
Directed by Slow Burn Theatre’s artistic director, Patrick Fitzwater, and running Saturday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 3, the South Florida premiere is based on the 1984 John Updike novel of the same name.
The book, which was made into a film in 1987 starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cher and Susan Sarandon, and tells the story of three bored New England professional women who conjure up a wicked lover. He may actually be the devil incarnate – or as Nicholson says in the film, “your average horny little devil.”
And in 2000, the novel was adapted into a stage musical with book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe, who has South Florida connections.
Fitzwater says Slow Burn received exclusive rights to produce “Witches of Eastwick” directly through producer Cameron Mackintosh (“Cats,” “Les Misérables”).
“We have a special dispensation,” he says. “We are the only theater in the U.S. to currently produce this show.”
While the show never ran on Broadway, it was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical in the original West End production in London in 2000 produced by Mackintosh.
“Witches” has gone on to be produced in Russia, Japan, Sweden and Australia, making its U.S. debut in 2007 in Arlington, Va.
Rowe, who is based in New York, has spent time in Florida working with Actors’ Playhouse in Miami, The Parker and at the former New River Repertory in Fort Lauderdale, where, in addition to composing the score to the campy musical, “Zombie Prom,” says he created the zombie make-up and ran the sound system.
That production launched the “Zombie Prom” right onto the off-Broadway stage in 1996.
“I’m so grateful to have ‘Witches of Eastwick’ produced by Patrick and Slow Burn Theatre and can’t wait to come down and see it,” says Rowe.
Also an author and podcaster, Rowe is working on his latest book, tentatively titled, “So You Have a Theater Kid – Now What?”
Fitzwater, who collects CD cast recordings, says he’s always loved the show.“At Slow Burn, we like to do the shows you might have missed on your trip to Broadway or to the West End and ‘Witches of Eastwick’ is the perfect selection to bring to our audience.”
With his musical scores, Rowe says he aims to tell a story with his music and marry the music to the narrative.
“My goal is to provide an emotional experience to the audience,” says Rowe by phone from Provincetown, Mass., before he heads south to Florida for opening night. “For ‘Witches of Eastwick,’ the theme is about women finding and owning the power they always had and conveying those emotions musically.”
One of those songs is “Words, Words, Words,” sung by Carbonell Award-winner Lindsey Corey, who plays Sukie Rougemont (Michelle Pfeiffer in the film), which goes in part:
“I’d like to talk about Euripides
And Schopenhauer and Bach.
And if there’s any doubt remaining,
I’d be happy just to talk.”
The fast-paced lyrics are a tongue-twister and Corey says she took home the score and practiced every night. With only two weeks of rehearsal time, and a hurricane on the horizon, practice time is of the essence.
“I got them down,” she says, launching into a live rendition on a Zoom call to illustrate her point.
The cast also includes Broadway actor Gail Bennett as Alexandra Spofford and Leah Sessa, a Carbonell and Silver Palm award recipient, who last appeared with Slow Burn as Nancy in “Groundhog Day” and as Heather Chandler in “Heathers” who plays Jane (the role created by Susan Sarandon in the film).
Making his Slow Burn debut in the Jack Nicholson role is veteran Broadway touring actor Philip Bryan as the devilish Darryl van Horne.
Bryan will perform the musical’s signature dance number, “Dance With the Devil,” on an illuminated staircase, which Fitzwater characterizes as “very Vegas and very Liza.”
Rounding out the cast are Britte Steele as Felicia Gabriel, Christopher Dreeson as Clyde Gabriel and Tony Carrubba as Michael Spofford.
Fitzwater notes that “Witches of Eastwick” has three strong women leads “smack-dab” in the center of the story.
“This is a timely story,” he says. “This is a joyous time for women in our country and the storyline may start a few conversations on the way home.”
He compares the camaraderie of the female actors on stage to the actual chemistry of the actors in the film.
“There was an instant connection between the actors,” he says. “There’s a palpable sense of community; it’s a real sisterhood.”
Sessa credits Rowe’s “beautiful music” and harmonies as the conduit for creating a special bond among the cast..
And while another iconic scene in the play where the witches fly over the audience may be hard to replicate in the space, Fitzwater promises, “they will fly – the witches will fly.”
“It’s very magical,” he says. “And, also a lot of fun.”
If You Go:
WHAT: Slow Burn Theatre Company’s “Witches of Eastwick”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Opens Saturday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
WHERE: Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
TICKETS: $72.50, $77, $80, $85.
INFORMATION: (954) 462-0222 or BrowardCenter.org
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division. Visit ArtsCalendar.com for more stories about the arts in South Florida.
