Tony-winning talent set for ‘The First Wives Club’

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On the stiletto heels of ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ comes the latest screen-to-stage girl-power revenge musical with Broadway aspirations. (Should we just call it a theatrical genre by now?)

‘The First Wives Club’ is currently taking shape at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, where the cast has just been announced. Tony winners Karen Ziemba and Adriane Lenox will be joined by Tony nominee Barbara Walsh to play the roles of three middle-aged women who seek revenge on their ex-husbands.

Ziemba, who won a Tony for her performance in the Susan Stroman musical ‘Contact,’ will play Annie, the role originated by Diane Keaton in the movie. Lenox, who won a Tony for ‘Doubt,’ will play Elyse, the part played by Goldie Hawn. Walsh, who was nominated for ‘Falsettos’ in 1992, will take the part of Brenda, which was first played by Bette Midler.

Completing the cast are Tony winner John Dossett, Kevyn Morrow, Brad Oscar and Sam Harris.

The musical is adapted from the hit 1996 Paramount feature film, which itself was based on the novel by Olivia Goldsmith.

‘The First Wives Club’ musical features a book by Rupert Holmes and music by the Motown songwriter-producer team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Francesca Zambello (‘The Little Mermaid’) will direct. The production runs July 15 to Aug. 23 at the Old Globe Theatre.

-- David Ng

Caption: Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn in the film version of ‘The First Wives Club.’ Credit: Andy Schwartz / Paramount