Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will host the world premiere developmental production of Jekyll & Hyde composer Frank Wildhorn's new musical The Song of Bernadette. Set to run May 19–June 11, 2023, the work features a book by Fire in Dreamland playwright Rinne B. Groff and lyrics by Country Music Award-winner Robin Lerner. Press materials for the world premiere describe it as "Broadway bound."
Based on Franz Werfel's 1941 novel, the musical will tell the true story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young woman living in the French town Lourdes who sees a vision that will change everything forever. The novel was previously adapted into a 1943 film starring Jennifer Jones, who won an Academy Award for the title role.
Newsies Tony winner Christopher Gattelli will direct and choreograph, with longtime Wildhorn collaborator Jason Howland providing music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements. Skylight is presenting the world premiere in partnership with Indie Theatrical and by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.
The world premiere follows a 2019 industry reading led by Mallory Bechtel, Alice Ripley, and Derek Klena. Casting for the Wisconsin production is to be announced.
Also in Skylight's newly announced 2022–2023 season are Mamma Mia!, running September 23–October 16; the regional premiere of the Disney Theatricals revue A Jolly Holiday, running November 18–December 31 and directed by Skylight Artistic Director Michael Unger; Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita, starring Rána Roman and Andrew Varela as Eva and Juan Perón, respectively, set to run February 3–19, 2023; and Michael Frayn's Noises Off, running March 17–April 2, 2023 and featuring music by Combustible Edison.
The announcement comes on the heels of Wildhorn making his long-awaited West End debut with Bonnie & Clyde and a London workshop of a revised version of Jekyll & Hyde featuring a new book penned by Birdman screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris.
For more, visit SkylightMusicTheatre.org.
