Peggy Sue Got Married (musical)

Peggy Sue Got Married is a 2001 musical adapted from the 1986 Francis Ford Coppola film of the same name. The musical shares the same storyline as the movie, following a 42-year-old woman as she travels back in time to relive certain high school experiences. This musical is much darker than most musicals, as the main character, Peggy Sue, must eventually make some life-altering decisions.

This article is about the musical. For the film, see Peggy Sue Got Married. For the song, see Peggy Sue Got Married (song).
Peggy Sue Got Married
Promotional poster
MusicBob Gaudio
LyricsJerry Leichtling
BookArlene Sarner
Jerry Leichtling
BasisPeggy Sue Got Married
Productions2001 West End

The book was written by Arlene Sarner and Jerry Leichtling, with music composed by Bob Gaudio, and lyrics by Jerry Leichtling. The musical opened in the West End theatres of London in August 2001, with Ruthie Henshall starring as Peggy Sue; other actors included Tim Howar, Gavin Lee, and Andrew Kennedy. Ruthie Henshall won her first Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in the role of Peggy Sue.

Storyline

The musical “Peggy Sue Got Married” follows the same storyline as the book and the movie. Peggy Sue is reevaluating her life at 42 years old due to an awaiting divorce with her cheating husband, who she has been with since he got her pregnant in high school. Upon going to a 25 year high school reunion, she travels back in time to when she was 17 years old again in 1960. Even though she is back in her 17 year old body, she still has her same 42 year old mind, memories, and maturity. She takes this inconvenient opportunity to relive her youth and do all the things she regrets not doing. She parties, tells her parents that she loves them, and talks to the school geek about his future success in life. In the end she is faced with life altering decisions of either going down the same path she went down as her old self, despite seeing where she ended up, or going down a new path of adventure with the high school heart throb, Michael.[1]

About the Musical

This musical has a run time of two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission. Although some say it can be compared to the musical Grease, there are many musical differences in Peggy Sue Got Married. Where Grease had a lot of music from the 1960s, Peggy Sue Got Married uses music from all areas like heavy metal, boy bands, The Drifters, and Celine Dion. Peggy Sue Got Married is also more of a serious musical than Grease and many other musicals. It is not as light-hearted or uncomplicated as most other musicals that might share a setting in high school.[2]

Production history

The musical opened in the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre on August 20, 2001, but closed on October 31, 2001. The mostly positive reviews[3] praised Henshall's performance.[4] Its early closing has been attributed to the reduced numbers of people visiting London after the events of 9/11; during that time, many theatrical shows in West End also performed poorly.[5]

Cast and Characters

Main Characters[6]
Character Role Actor/Actress
Peggy Sue Main Character Ruthie Henshall
Charlie Peggy Sue’s Husband Andrew Kennedy
Michael High School Heartthrob Tim Howar
Richard High School Nerd Gavin Lee
Evelyn Sara Weymouth
Doug Gerard Bentall
Delores Melanie Marcus

Other Characters

Miss Grano, Danny, Arthur, Mr. Kalodney, Walter, Joe, Linda, Maddy, Carol, School Nurse, and Jack.

Other Cast

Gerard Bentall, Verity Bentham, Dawn Buckland, Chris Crompton, Samuel James, Melanie Marcus, Dean Maynard, Melitsa Nicola, Stuart Nurse, Paul Peacock, Richard Peakman, Wayne Perrey, Andrew Playfoot, Neil Reynolds, Tanya Robb, Vicki Simon, Donna Steele, Scarlett Strallen, Sam Strasfeld, Lucy Moorby, Pippa Gebette, Shirley Hafey, Terence Hillyer, Ian Waller, Francesca Newitt.

Design: Ruari Murchison

Lighting Design: Mark Jonathan

Sound: Rick Clarke

Musical Arrangements: Gary Hind

Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo[7]

Songs
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References
  1. Loveridge, Lizzie (2001). "Peggy Sue Got Married - the Musical". CurtainUp. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  2. Wolf, Matt (September 3, 2001). "Peggy Sue Got Married". ProQuest 1952647. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Sommer, Elyse (2001), Review by CurtainUp, CurtainUp.com, retrieved 2007-06-16
  4. Ruthie triumphs over cliches, The Telegraph, 2001-08-22, retrieved 2007-06-16
  5. Kennedy, Ingrid (2001-10-07), The Interview: Ruthie Henshall, The Independent, retrieved 2007-06-16
  6. Wolf, Matt (September 3, 2001). "Peggy Sue Got Married". ProQuest 1952647. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. Loveridge, Lizzie (2001). "Peggy Sue Got Married - the Musical". CurtainUp. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
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