Sam Morrison's solo play Sugar Daddy has set a West Coast premiere at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. A 2025 Broadway bow is next on the horizon, with details to be announced.
The California run will play the venue's Lovelace Studio Theater September 20-October 13, with opening night set for September 29. Edgewood Entertainment is producing, with Stephen Brackett (A Strange Loop) to helm.
Written and performed by Morrison, the work sees the artist grappling with the death of his partner from COVID-19, and transforming his grief into humor on a journey of love, loss, diabetes, seagull attacks, and a few extraordinary coincidences. The work premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, and played a multi-extended run at Off-Broadway's SoHo Playhouse in 2023.
READ: Sam Morrison Finds the Sweet Side to Bitter Grief in Sugar Daddy
The production will feature scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, lighting design by Jennifer Schriever, sound design by Sinan Zafar, and video and projection design by Alex Basco Koch.
Sugar Daddy is one of several new events announced for the Wallis Annenberg Center, a list that also includes a 20th anniversary celebration of Broadway's Hairspray. Original cast members Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler, and Laura Bell Bundy will reunite September 26 for a one-night-only evening of songs and stories about creating and starring in the Best Musical tony winner.
Grammy winner Ledisi will play the venue's Bram Goldsmith Theater Sepember 27, singing songs from her latest album Good Life newly reimagined to feature a full string section. Aoife O'Donovan and Hawtail will bring their All My Friends tour to the venue October 2.
