Beaches Broadway stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett perform at Majestic Theatre through September

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• From Novel to Stage: A Legendary Adaptation
• The Cast: Broadway Powerhouses in Dual Lead Roles
• Creative Vision and Production Details
• Broadway History and Audience Reception
• What to Expect at the Majestic Theatre
• Will Beaches Extend Its Broadway Run?
  • Sources

Beaches, the stage musical adaptation featuring Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett in leading roles, continues its limited engagement at the Majestic Theatre through September 6, 2026. The production opened on April 22, 2026, bringing Iris Rainer Dart’s beloved 1985 novel to Broadway with a score by legendary composer Mike Stoller. The show tells the 30-year friendship story of vivacious Cee Cee Bloom and elegant Bertie White, exploring sisterhood, ambition, and unconditional love across three decades.

From Novel to Stage: A Legendary Adaptation

Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel spawned the iconic 1988 film starring Bette Midler, a cultural phenomenon that defined emotional storytelling for millions. The stage musical preserves the heart of that narrative while expanding the character development and emotional nuance through two dozen musical numbers. Mike Stoller, now 93 and one of the greatest American songwriters ever (co-founder of the legendary Leiber & Stoller songwriting team), composed the original score. Dart and Thom Thomas crafted the book and lyrics, translating a story about lifelong friendship into Broadway’s language of song and performance.

The adaptation captures three decades of relationship evolution, beginning with two girls meeting as children at a beach in Atlantic City. From pen pals to best friends navigating careers, heartbreak, and personal crises, the musical explores themes that resonate with audiences seeking authentic portrayals of female friendship. The story spans from the 1960s through the 1990s, allowing Stoller’s classic Broadway sound to anchor the narrative’s emotional arc.

The Cast: Broadway Powerhouses in Dual Lead Roles

Jessica Vosk brings explosive energy to Cee Cee Bloom, the vivacious, outlandish entertainer who dreams of stardom. Vosk’s Broadway trajectory uniquely qualifies her for the role: she left a successful Wall Street career to pursue acting, making her Broadway debut at age 30 in Jason Robert Brown’s The Bridges of Madison County. She gained widespread recognition for her acclaimed two-year run as Elphaba in Wicked, where audiences witnessed her powerful vocal control and emotional depth. More recently, she received accolades for her role as Jersey in Hell’s Kitchen, the Alicia Keys musical that explored female empowerment and resilience. Vosk’s career demonstrates the risk-taking and determination that defines her character’s journey in Beaches.

Kelli Barrett embodies Bertie White, the poised, elegant counterpart whose quiet strength balances Cee Cee’s boldness. Barrett brings substantial Broadway credentials, having originated roles in six major Broadway productions. Her performance as Mrs. Phagan in the Tony Award-winning revival of Parade showcased her dramatic range and vocal prowess. She has also played Nessarose in Wicked, Lara Guishar in Dr. Zhivago, and originated the lead role in Rock of Ages off-Broadway. Barrett’s television credits include recurring roles on Chicago Fire and appearances in Marvel’s The Punisher as Maria Castle. Her nuanced performance in Beaches grounds the musical’s emotional core.

Creative Vision and Production Details

Creative Role	Contributor
Composer	Mike Stoller (age 93)
Book & Lyrics	Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas
Director	David Austin (in collaboration with David Austin Musicals)
Orchestrator	Charlie Rosen
Theatre	Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44th Street, New York
Opening Night	April 22, 2026
Cast Announcement	December 2025

Mike Stoller’s involvement represents a significant achievement for the production. The 93-year-old legend composed classics that defined American popular music, collaborating with Jerry Leiber on timeless hits for artists including Elvis Presley, The Coasters, and Aretha Franklin. His Broadway experience includes work on multiple theatrical projects, making him an ideal composer for capturing the emotional sweep of Beaches. The score balances contemporary sensibilities with classic Broadway structure, featuring two dozen original musical numbers that advance the narrative while exploring themes of ambition, loyalty, heartbreak, and unconditional love. Charlie Rosen, the renowned orchestrator, arranged the music to emphasize the score’s lyrical qualities while providing dynamic support for the cast’s performances.

Broadway History and Audience Reception

Beaches represents a notable trend in Broadway adaptation: bringing beloved 1980s films to the stage. The original 1988 film, starring Bette Midler in her acting debut and Midler alongside Barbara Hershey, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. That film became a cultural touchstone, particularly for audiences seeking emotionally authentic stories about female friendship and sacrifice. The stage musical builds on that foundation while expanding character exploration through extended scenes and musical expression. Audience reception has varied: critics praise the cast performances and Stoller’s score while offering mixed assessments of the overall production’s dramatic coherence. However, audience reviews consistently highlight the emotional catharsis the show provides, with patrons describing experiences of genuine tears and laughter.

“The musical exceeded my expectations through the incredible character development and deeper relationship exploration that the stage allows compared to the film. The performances by both leads are hysterical and heartbreaking.”

— Review excerpt from Broadway audience members

What to Expect at the Majestic Theatre

The production runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission, providing a contained theatrical experience that balances scope with pacing. The Majestic Theatre, a classic Broadway venue completed in 1913, seats approximately 1,645 patrons, offering diverse viewing angles and acoustics suited to musical performance. Beaches performances continue through September 6, 2026, representing a limited engagement that theatergoers should prioritize if interested. The show is recommended for ages 8 and up, making it accessible to multi-generational audiences. Ticket pricing ranges from approximately $61 to $150+ depending on seat location and performance date. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday matinees typically offer the best availability and pricing compared to weekend performances.

Early reviews from preview performances highlighted Vosk’s comic timing and emotional vulnerability, particularly in scenes exploring Cee Cee’s insecurities beneath her brash exterior. Barrett’s quiet strength and crystalline vocals provide essential contrast, grounding the narrative’s emotional stakes. The chemistry between the two leads anchors the production’s exploration of lifelong friendship, making moments of conflict and reconciliation resonate authentically with audiences.

Will Beaches Extend Its Broadway Run?

The September 6 closing date presents a critical question for Broadway theatre: whether the production will extend beyond its initial limited engagement. Broadway shows often expand their runs based on ticket sales, audience enthusiasm, and critical reception following opening night. Beaches faces both advantages and challenges: the source material carries significant cultural affinity and nostalgia, the cast includes recognized Broadway talent, and audience reactions lean positive. However, critical reception from major publications has been mixed, with some reviewers questioning whether the stage adaptation fully captures the film’s emotional power. The show’s financial performance and awards recognition (Tony nominations, if earned) would likely influence any extension decision. Theatre insiders and Beaches enthusiasts might leverage the limited engagement as motivation to secure tickets sooner rather than later, ensuring they don’t miss performances that could become definitive Broadway records of this adaptation.

Sources

• Playbill — Production announcement and cast information for Beaches Broadway
• BroadwayWorld — Cast interviews and behind-the-scenes content
• The New York Times — Critical review and opening night coverage
• Wikipedia (Beaches musical) — Creative team details and production history
• beachesthemusical.com — Official show website with cast and creative information
• Variety — Industry analysis and critical perspective on the production