Private industry readings are set for a new musical based on the life of '20s entertainer Sophie Tucker, titled Last of the Red Hot Mamas—The Sophie Tucker Story. The readings will be given June 22 at 1 and 6 PM at Open Jar Studios.
Leading the cast will be Jeannette Bayardelle (Girl From the North Country) and Maeghin Mueller (My Fair Lady), along with Phillip Attmore (Shuffle Along), Alyse Alan Louis (White Girl in Danger), Nic Rouleau (The Book of Mormon), Mykal Kilgore (Motown the Musical), Josh Lamon (The Prom), Mark Price (Mary Poppins), Katie Thompson (Oklahoma!), Julie Kavanagh (Hello, Dolly!), Izaiah Harris, Graham Keen (Pretty Woman), Erin Moore (Shuffle Along), and Christine Sienicki.
The work tracks the early days of Tucker and her best friend Molly as the former begins to become a true entertainment icon, one of the 20th century's first. A star in vaudeville and on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies, the full-figured Tucker was known for performing songs she herself wrote, including "I'm the Last of the Red Hot Mamas," "Nobody Loves a Fat Girl (But Oh How a Fat Girl Can Love)," and "Some of These Days," all of which will be featured in the musical along with other tunes from Tucker's catalog.
The work features a book by Susan Ecker, Harrison David Rivers, and Lloyd Ecker. Shea Sullivan is directing and choreographing the industry presentation, with music supervision and arrangements by Sam Davis and music direction by Greg Jarrett. Alfredo Macias is stage manager, and Evan Bernardin Productions is serving as general manager.
The readings are invitation only. Those interested should contact [email protected] or call (212) 589-5426.
