Broadway Musical 'Beaches' Opens at Majestic Theater Following 12-Year Development

The musical 'Beaches' is scheduled to open on April 22, 2026, at the Majestic Theater in New York, marking the culmination of 12 years of development that included a 2024 production in Calgary. @Variety reported the show, based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, features a book by Dart and Thom Thomas. A national tour is slated to follow the limited Broadway run.

Jessica Vosk stars as Cee Cee Bloom, with Kelli Barrett portraying Bertie in the production, which runs two hours and 30 minutes. The cast also includes Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Zeya Grace, Joelle Gully, Ben Jacoby, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Samantha Schwartz, Brent Thiessen, Lael Van Keuren and Zurin Villanueva.

Top premium tickets cost $289, while top regular tickets are priced at $179 for the 1,615-seat venue.

The story begins in the 1980s with Cee Cee Bloom rehearsing for her TV variety show, then flashes back to 1951 on an Atlantic City beach where a young Cee Cee meets Bertie. Songs for the musical come from 93-year-old composer Mike Stoller, including the Grammy-winning 'Wind Beneath My Wings,' written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley.

@Variety reported the narrative follows the decades-long friendship between the two women, echoing the novel's themes of connection and life changes.

Iris Rainer Dart's 1985 novel inspired the 1988 Touchstone Pictures film starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, with a screenplay by Dart and Mary Agnes Donoghue. The tale was remade as a 2017 Lifetime television movie featuring Idina Menzel and Nia Long, where Dart served as co-screenwriter. In the musical version, Dart collaborated with Thom Thomas on the book.

'Beaches' was developed in collaboration with David Austin. Lonny Price and Matt Cowart directed the production, with choreography by Jennifer Rias. Sets are by James Noone, costumes by Tracy Christensen, lighting by Ken Billington, sound by Kai Harada and video design by David Bengali.

Paul Staroba serves as musical director, with Joseph Thalken as music supervisor and arranger, and orchestrations by Charlie Rosen. Mary MacLeod is the production stage manager. @Variety reported the show's structure includes a pivotal encounter under the Atlantic City boardwalk in 1951, where 10-year-old Cee Cee, performed in a kiddie show, meets the lost Bertie.

The production is presented by Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso, Ryan Bogner and Tracey McFarland for Broadway & Beyond Theatricals. Additional presenters include Alison Spiriti and Justin Sudds for Right Angle Entertainment, as well as Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment. Jeffrey Simno and Molly Mahoney also present the show.

Craig Senyk and Next Table Entertainment contribute to the presentation, along with Tamara Tunie and Maxine Lapiduss. Patty Baker, Jean Taylor and David Stillman are listed as presenters. Leisa Creo and Candace Matthews join the producing team.

Wes Hall and Didi Wong present 'Beaches,' as do D'Angora Padgett Productions and Willette Klausner-Awesome Daughters. Crossroads Live is involved in the presentation. The John Gore Organization serves as a presenter.

Michelle Soutier presents the musical, with Theatre Calgary also participating in the presentation. @Variety reported a review of the production, noting the show's origins in Dart's novel and its adaptations. The musical incorporates elements from the era-spanning story, blending pop and swing flavors in Stoller's compositions.