The production that has had audience members "burning off pounds just laughing," according to the Los Angeles Times, WaistWatchers The Musical! makes its Chicago Premiere at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., this fall. Produced by Dana Matthow and featuring the queen of disco Martha Wash, known for singing the powerful anthem 'It's Raining Men,' and "Everybody Dance Now," the musical takes a lighthearted and hilarious look at women dealing with their relationship to food, friendship and fitness, while celebrating the transformative power of female friendship on the journey to self-acceptance. Capturing audiences of all ages from start to finish, the Chicago production begins September 13 for an open run with a press opening September 21, 2018.
"After touring the country, women have described WaistWatchers The Musical! as an empowering vehicle — one that defines happiness as confidence, laughter and love," said Producer Dana Matthow. "WaistWatchers The Musical! encourages women to reject the social pressures of achieving the mirage of so-called perfection and to simply embrace themselves for who they are."
Boasting successful tours across the country since 2013 with major runs at El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA, the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA, the Herberger Theatre in Phoenix, AZ and many more, WaistWatchers The Musical! is full of high power energy. The production is 90 minutes of non-stop exercise, song and dance, featuring four women and their exuberant younger trainer as they all tackle universal issues of dieting, exercise, plastic surgery, sex and self-love.
The show's Choreographer Dani Tucci-Juraga describes it best - "WaistWatchers The Musical is about strong, sensitive, passionate and evolving women who function best with good friends and humor by their side. As choreographer, getting to work with the cast is much like the plot. We are there to support each other and above all, laugh."
In addition to Martha Wash starring as Connie ( from September 13 through October 28 ), the Chicago production features Sarah Godwin ( Cindy ), Seandrea E. Earls ( Cheryl ), and Katherine S. Barnes ( MC ). The creative team includes Matthew E. Silva ( Director ), Alan Jacobson ( Creator, Book and Lyrics ), Vince Di Mura ( Music ) and Dani Tucci-Jurraga ( Choreography ).
WaistWatchers The Musical! performances are as follows: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale starting at $45. Groups should call 312.423.6612 for special offers. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.waistwatchersthemusical.com or call the Royal George Theatre Box Office at 312.988.9000.
About:
MARTHA WASH's unmistakable voice has been capturing the hearts of millions of people around the world for decades. The two-time Grammy nominee is a multi-Gold and Platinum recording artist responsible for some of the biggest-selling, most beloved pop and dance hits in music history, and it's easy to be overwhelmed by the irresistible charm of her astonishing repertoire. Think of her legendary backup work as part of Two Tons Of Fun for Sylvester's disco classics, such as "( You Make Me Feel ) Mighty Real." Remember how you celebrated the unrestrained joy of "It's Raining Men," where she performed as one half of the Weather Girls. Recall the sizzling heat of her powerhouse rendition of "Gonna Make Sweat ( Everybody Dance Now )," the highlight of C+C Music Factory's career and a number one pop smash. Re-live that feeling of rapture you felt from her performance on the Dreamland album by Black Box, which featured three Top 40 Billboard hits, including "Everybody, Everybody." Is it any wonder today that Martha is considered the very heart and soul of dance music?
SARAH GODWIN is from McMinnville, TN and currently calls Manhattan home. She studied music at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, Opera Performance at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, and Musical Theatre Performance at AMDA in New York City. Recent stage credits include KEVIN!!!!! with Recent Cutbacks at The PIT NYC, Question 1 - The Musical at St. Luke's Theatre NYC, and Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story with Endstation Theatre Company in Central Virginia. When she's not performing on stage she enjoys yoga, a good stiff martini, and being single. So, so single.
SEANDREA E. EARLS is a native of Chicago, IL. Ms. Earls studied education and vocal performance at Seminole College and Rollins College, School of Music. Some of Seandrea's favorite performances include: Stars on Silver Sea Spirit, Beehive the 60's Musical ( Gina ), Dreamgirls ( Effie ), The Drowsy Chaperone ( Trix ), How to Succeed in Business Without Trying ( Ms. Jones ). In 2008 Ms. Earls released her CD Next Step, which celebrates inspirational jazz music. Seandrea made her screen debut as Tracy in the short film FREEDOM ( 2018 ) which won an award at the 2018 Chicago AT&T Creathon. Her next movie will be Three Corners of Deception ( 2019 ).
KATHERINE S. BARNES is ecstatic to be making her Chicago theatre debut with WaistWatchers The Musical! Originally from Sullivan, MO, she's a proud transplant to Chicago. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Missouri State University, and is an Equity Membership Candidate. Professional credits include: Paulette, Legally Blonde; Rosie, Mamma Mia; Sister Mary Patrick, Sister Act; Cecily Pigeon Odd Couple; Emma, Plain and Fancy; and many more!
MATT SILVA ( Director ) serves as Artistic Director for Playhouse Productions. Under producer, Dana Matthow, Matt has directed National Touring productions of WaistWatchers The Musical!, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Baby Boomer Baby, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and others. Matt has had success directing regionally with hit musicals like The Million Dollar Quartet, Lost Highway: The Hanks Williams Story, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat ( Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Musical ). Matt holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University and an MFA in Directing from Florida State University. Working with the women of WaistWatchers across the country has been one of the great joys of Matt's life.
ALAN JACOBSON ( Creator, Author & Lyrist ) Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Alan is a true renaissance man. He is a former clothing manufacturer, world-class track and field athlete and actor. He has had his own theatre and entertainment company for many years, and has produced more than 80 productions around the country, with two, If You Ever Leave Me I'm Going With You and Down the Garden Paths, reaching Broadway and Off Broadway. Not only does he fill the rolls of producer, actor, director and coach, but with the hit production WaistWatchers The Musical!, he adds the title of playwright. The production ( which was originally titled "Food Fight" ) premiered in 2007 and has continued to tour nationally. Alan produced WaistWatchers The Musical! for several years until turning it over to Dana Matthow in late 2015.
VINCE Di MURA ( Musical Director, Music Composer ) Vince is an award-winning composer, arranger, jazz pianist and musical director. He has appeared on concert stages and theatres throughout North America, Canada, Europe and Latin America. He currently serves as the Resident Composer and Musical Director for the Lewis Center of the Arts at Princeton University. Vince is best known for his arrangements of "My Way: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra," I Left My Heart: A Tribute to Tony Bennett," and "Simply Simone." Vince is also the author and curator of "A Conversation with the Blues," a 14-part web instructional series on improvisation through the blues. Produced by Soundfly Inc., Vince has five CDs on the market, including the 2000 release, "Imperfect Balance," the 2007 release, "A Darker Shade of Romance," 2008 release, "For Lost Words," in collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Yusef Komunyakaa, the 2010 release, "California Sage:" ( with James Leary on Bass and Fritz Wise on drums ) and the 2012 release, "Love Was," a second collaboration with poet Yusef Komunyakaa.
DANI TUCCI-JURAGA ( Choreographer ) Dani is a member of the Dance Educators of America, SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity. She has choreographed productions on Broadway, International Tours, Film and TV including Sesame Street at Madison Square Garden, Sesame Street Live International, The Magic School Bus Live, Disney Cruise Lines, Silver Linings Playbook, Hairspray Live and several projects for NBC-10 Philadelphia. Dani is a guest-teaching artist at the Bucks County Playhouse and owns the Downstage Center Dance Studio. In her free time, she is a fitness trainer and performs voice overs and stunts for kids, and just recently joined the faculty at Rider College as a dance teacher.
