The cast of “Beaches” performs at Signature Theatre in Shirlington. Margot I. Schulman
Signature Theatre is presenting the musical “Beaches” about a 40-year friendship based on the 1988 movie starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, now through March 30.
The play, which is Signature’s third world premiere musical this season (and 18th total), is adapted from the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart and directed by Eric Schaeffer (Broadway’s “Follies,” “Million Dollar Quartet”). It stars Mara Davi as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress as Cee Cee Bloom destined for fame.
Opening in Atlantic City in 1951, the play stars child actors Brooklyn Shuck and Presley Ryan, and progresses through reunions at various beaches. The settings span Pittsburg/Bronx in the 1960s using teen actors Maya Brettell and Gracie Jones to the disco ’70s, and addiction ’80s in Brighton Beach; Miami Beach; Sarasota, Fla.; and Carmel, Ca.
“What was interesting on this show is that we have three different actors playing each of the two leading women — young, teen and adult Cee Cee and Bertie,” said Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. “It was fun having them all work together so their body language matches their mannerisms and more. Seeing the six actresses work together has been a real joy in building their friendship both on the stage as well as off.”
The children become fiercely-loyal friends who become teen pen-pals whose letters are sung back and forth in seamless transitions. There’s an ensemble of a dozen or so actors singing, dancing and wearing multiple wardrobes thanks to costume designer Frank Labovitz. The action is centered around the over-the-top Cee Cee striving to make it in show biz — starting out in seedy dives, then Broadway (“The View From Up Here”) and Hollywood.
Umphress demonstrates a larger-than-life personality with her rich vocals and delicious acting chops — in both solitary scenes and duets with her upper-crust, introverted socialite buddy Bertie — played by the equally talented Mara Davi.
“I can certainly relate to her big, bold qualities, but I think she's actually quite a softie under her hard, acerbic exterior,” said Umphress. “I've really tried to play up her sensitivity.”
What interested Davi in her role was the variety of challenges that made it interesting. “We live through a range of ages, emotions, relationships, styles of music, etc.,” said Davi. “I feel stretched in every direction, and it feels great.”
Added Davi, “My upbringing and personality are quite similar to Bertie's so I get to bring a lot of myself to the role.”
Umphress said she enjoyed getting to play a role that spans 30 years. “It was sort of up to me to find ways to make her the same person throughout the play,” she said. “But also to show how she grows and matures (and immatures at times).”
Both friends become roommates and romantic rivals in life struggles and career changes, while getting married and divorced along the way. One standout scene was when the duo performed harmonies with nurses and Arthur (Michael Bunce) singing “Normal People” while in Sarasota. Bertie eventually develops terminal cancer and has Cee Cee caring for her and her daughter Nina (Svea Johnson). As Cee Cee’s career takes off, she performs Bette Middler’s classic, “The Wind Beneath My Wings” with soulful tenderness at a recording studio in Hollywood.
“It's been a great journey with this show because everyone has certain expectations with the title of ‘Beaches,’ but they're surprised by how we tell the story in musical form,” said Schaeffer. “It's always exciting to be able to invent something new to share with audiences.”
The stage walls are adorned in a smorgasbord of dusty-white dressers, chairs, tables, bureaus, benches and lamps by creative scenic design by Derek Mclane, with a boardwalk-like floor that serves as the oceanfront to the different beaches. The minimal sets are wheeled in and out as the ocean lighting changes when the beach scenes change.
The creative team includes choreography by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges; Musical Supervisor Mary-Mitchell Campbell; orchestrations by Lynne Shankel; scenic design by Tony Award-winner Derek; costume design by Frank Labovitz; lighting design by Chris Lee; sound design by Lane Elms; Production Stage Manager Kerry Epstein; and Assistant Stage Manager Stephanie Junkin.
Performances for “Beaches” run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available in person at the Signature Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 703-573-SEAT, and online at www.signature-theatre.org. Signature Theatre is located at 4200 Campbell Ave.