# Ever After The Musical

Ever After is a 2015 musical, with book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich, based on the 1998 film of the same name written by Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, and Rick Parks, whose source material is the fairy tale Cinderella. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in May 2015.

## Background

A report in 2012 indicated that a musical theatre production was in the works, with the book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music by Zina Goldrich. There was a reading of the musical in 2007 in New York City, starring Elena Shaddow as Danielle and Max von Essen as Prince Henry and directed by Doug Hughes. The musical's subtitle at that time was A Cinderella Story. The musical was originally scheduled for its world premiere in April 2009 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, but the pre-Broadway run was postponed. In May 2012, the project was back on track with Kathleen Marshall directing a Broadway run.
A workshop of the musical was held from April 25, 2013 to May 15, 2013 with Sierra Boggess as Danielle, Jeremy Jordan as Prince Henry, and Ashley Spencer as Marguerite. The musical made its world premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse from May 21, 2015 – June 21, 2015. Christine Ebersole played the role of Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent. Alongside Ebersole, Margo Seibert starred as Danielle, James Snyder as Henry, Charles Shaughnessy as King Francis, and Tony Sheldon as Da Vinci. Another production of the musical began playing at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre beginning January 2019.

## Productions
### Paper Mill Playhouse (2015)

The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse on May 21, 2015, for a limited engagement until June 21, 2015. The production was directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. The production's design team included scenery by Derek McLane, costumes by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski, sound by Nevin Steinberg, and projections by Olivia Sebesky and Derek McLane. John Kenrick reviews this production: "It is a joy to report that Ever After has been deftly adapted into a musical that boasts delightful music, unusually witty lyrics, and enough human magic to make for a wonderful evening's entertainment."

### Alliance Theatre (2019)

The musical premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 2019, for a limited engagement until February 17, 2019. The production was directed by Susan V. Booth and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter. The design team included scenery by Anna Louizos, costumes by Linda Cho, lighting by Robert Wierzel, and projections by Sven Ortel.

### Ordway Theatre (2019)

The musical was expected to run at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota from December 3 to 29, 2019. However, following this announcement the musical was replaced on the schedule by SIX the Musical, which played at the Ordway for a limited engagement from November 29 to December 22, 2019 before its Broadway debut.

### Ordway Concert Hall (2023)

The musical was performed at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in a concert staging starring Erika Henningsen, Heidi Blickenstaff, David Garrison and Jason Gotay. The production was directed by Marlo Hunter.

## Characters and original cast

| Character | Industry Reading (2007) | Industry Reading (2013) | Paper Mill Playhouse (2015) | Alliance Theatre (2019) |
| Danielle de Barbarac | Elena Shaddow | Sierra Boggess | Margo Seibert | Sierra Boggess |
| Prince Henry | Max von Essen | Jeremy Jordan | James Snyder | Tim Rogan |
| Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent | Jan Maxwell | Jan Maxwell | Christine Ebersole | Rachel York |
| King Francis of France | Ron Holgate | Terrence Mann | Charles Shaughnessy | Chris Kayser |
| Queen Marie of France | Mary Beth Peil | Kate Burton | Julie Halston | Terry Burrell |
| Marguerite de Ghent | Brynn O'Malley | Ashley Spencer | Mara Davi | Jenny Ashman |
| Jacqueline de Ghent | Emily Walton | Gwen Hollander | Annie Funke | Rachel Flynn |
| Leonardo da Vinci | Tim Jerome | Tony Sheldon | Tony Sheldon | David Garrison |
| Auguste de Barbarac / Spanish King | - | Byron Jennings | Fred Inkley | Corey James Wright |
| Captain Laurent | Jonathan Root | Jose Llana | Charl Brown | Todd Buonopane |
| Pierre Malette | - | - | John Hillner | Jeff McCarthy |
| Gustave | Jonathan Rayson | F. Michael Haynie | Andrew Keenan-Bolger | Justin Keyes |
| Maurice | - | - | Nick Corley | Jimmy Kieffer |
| Louise | - | - | Liz McCartney | Rhyn Saver |
| Young Danielle | - | Sadie Sink | Isabella Burke | Bella Yantis |
| Paulette / Spanish Princess | - | Jill Abramovitz | Jill Abramovitz | - |
| Flanek | - | Sean Martin Hingston | Sean Martin Hingston | - | - |
| Cargo Master | - | - | Will Mann | - |
| Marquis / Spanish Lover | - | - | Jonathan Shew | - |
| Spanish Queen | - | - | Aléna Watters | - |
| Sophie | - | Wendi Bergamini | - | - |
| Le Pieu | Stephen Bogardus | - | - | - |

## Musical numbers

Paper Mill Playhouse
Alliance Theatre