‘Lost musical’ reaches the stage at Two River Theater

THE WORLD PREMIERE of “Pamela’s First Musical” — 13 years after it was originally scheduled — is taking place at Two River Theater in Red Bank, running through Sunday, Oct. 7.

Featuring a creative team with numerous honors among them — including multiple Tony wins — “Pamela’s First Musical” is being produced under the leadership of artistic director John Dias and managing director Michael Hurst.

The show is based on the 1996 children’s book by Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author Wendy Wasserstein (“The Heidi Chronicles”), who wrote the musical’s book with Tony Award winner Christopher Durang (“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”). The music was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by David Zippel (Tony winners for their previous collaboration, “City of Angels”).

The musical’s scheduled 2005 world premiere was cancelled due to Coleman’s death in 2004 and Wasserstein’s illness, which led to her untimely death in 2006. “Pamela’s First Musical” seemed destined to remain a lost work.

Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

Now Two River Theater is bringing the show to the stage, directed and choreographed by 10-time Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele, with music supervision and arrangements by Kevin Stites.

The musical tells the story of Pamela, an unhappy, imaginative, and motherless girl. Her father, though well-meaning, doesn’t fully understand his creative, unusual daughter. When Pamela’s eccentric Aunt Louise takes her to see her first Broadway musical, Pamela encounters many colorful personalities of the New York theater world. In meeting them and watching a clever musical-within-a-musical, Pamela discovers her tribe and the place where, as she sings, “all the pieces fit” — the world of musical theater.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $70, $20 for those under 30, with discounts available for groups, seniors, U.S. military personnel, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets (may have partial view) are available for every performance. Visit tworivertheater.org or call 732-345-1400.