Due to the success of Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler's musical DEAR EDWINA, producer Daryl Roth is pleased to announce an extension of the original limited engagement. At a time when economic gloom has darkened many Broadway and off-Broadway shows, a bright spot of good news surfaces in the theatre world! The off-Broadway premiere engagement of DEAR EDWINAhas, like the Little Engine That Could, cheerfully surpassed all expectations. Originally planned as a limited engagement through January 25, DEAR EDWINA, a fully staged musical comedy for all ages, has been so enthusiastically received by critics and audiences alike that it is now scheduled to run through Sunday, April 19 at the DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15th Street, NYC.
DEAR EDWINA features music by Zina Goldrich and book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler (the award-winning team behind the popular cabaret song "Taylor, the Latte Boy," the Broadway-bound musical EVER AFTER, and the critically acclaimed family musical JUNIE B. JONES).
In the time-honored tradition of "Let's put on a show," DEAR EDWINA's plucky heroine, Edwina Spoonapple, decides that she and her pals will do just that. Edwina's special talent is giving advice, and she would do almost anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. When a talent scout visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, Edwina - assisted by a host of quirky friends and neighbors - enthusiastically sings out her musical advice in hilarious and endearing songs about everything from party etiquette ("Frankenguest") to the proper way to set a table ("Fork, Knife, Spoon"). Wrote Mark Peikert of Back Stage, "The choreography, whip-smart lyrics, and irrepressible spirits of the six-person cast combine to elevate the show to heights higher than those of the average kiddie show. Throughout the audience, adults will be laughing just as hard (if not harder) than their children."
To coincide with the DR2 Theatre production, record label PS Classics recently released the world premiere recording of DEAR EDWINA. Another way that DEAR EDWINA connects to its audiences is through the online DEAR EDWINA advice column.Children attending DEAR EDWINA are encouraged to write their own letters asking for the show's heroine for advice. Letters can be left at the DR2 Theatre or submitted online at www.DearEdwina.com. Each week, one letter is chosen as "question of the week" and posted on the DEAR EDWINA website, along with Edwina's personal reply.
MARCY and ZINA, who have been collaborating since 1993, were voted "Best Knocking on Broadway's Door Songwriting Team" in The Village Voice's "Best of NYC" edition and are past recipients of ASCAP's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Theatre Award. Kristin Chenoweth popularized their song, "Taylor, the Latte Boy," performing it on The Today Show and The Rosie O'Donnell Show and in concert at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, and the White House. As performers, MARCY and ZINA have toured domestically and internationally, presenting their music at some of the finest venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Raved The Village Voice, "[They] have been turning out smart lyrics and sophisticated melodies for some time. Keep in mind they're the ones whose nifty love song rhymed 'quesadilla' with 'IKEA." Together and apart, MARCY and ZINA have provided original songs for The Disney Channel, Disney Interactive and Feature Animation projects, Disney Theatricals, PBS, and Nickelodeon. MARCY and ZINA's JUNIE B. JONES enjoyed three highly successful off-Broadway runs under the auspices of Theatreworks USA, earning two Lucille Lortel Award nominations.
Tickets for DEAR EDWINA are priced at $39 and are available at DearEdwina.com or by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets may also be purchased at the DR2 box office, 103 East 15th Street, NYC. Group rates are available.
