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Wendy Wasserstein's Pamela's First Musical Finally Comes to the Stage

The musical, written with Christopher Durang, Cy Coleman, and David Zippel, runs through October 8 at Two River Theater.

Editorial Staff
Sarah McKinley Austin (Pamela) and Carolee Carmello (Aunt Louise) in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
Sarah McKinley Austin (Pamela) and Carolee Carmello (Aunt Louise) star in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
(© T. Charles Erickson)

Two River Theater has released photos from its world premiere of Pamela's First Musical.

Running through October 7, Pamela's First Musical features a book by the late Wendy Wasserstein and by Christopher Durang, with a score by David Zippel and the late Cy Coleman. Graciela Daniele directs and choreographs. It is based on Wasserstein's 1996 children's book.

Howard McGillin as Pamela's father, Kevin, and Sarah McKinley Austin in the title role of Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
Howard McGillin as Pamela's father, Kevin, and Sarah McKinley Austin in the title role of Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
(© T. Charles Erickson)

The production stars Sarah McKinley Austin in the title role, alongside Howard McGillin, Carolee Carmello, Andréa Burns, David Garrison, and Michael Mulheren. The cast also includes Wesley J. Barnes, Jeanine Bruen, Mary Callanan, Nick Cearley, Erica Dorfler, Hillary Fisher, Jacobi Hall, Elizabeth Ritacco, and Blake Zolfo.

Howard McGillin as Nathan Hines Kline and Andréa Burns as Mary Ethel Bernadette in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
Howard McGillin as Nathan Hines Kline and Andréa Burns as Mary Ethel Bernadette in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
(© T. Charles Erickson)

Featured on the creative team are music director Gregory J. Dlugos, orchestrator Charlie Rosen, scenic designers David Gallo and Viveca Gardiner, costume designer Gabriel Berry, lighting designer David Lander, and sound designer Drew Levy. The production will have music supervision and arrangements by Kevin Stites.

The musical tells the story of Pamela (Austin), an unhappy, imaginative young girl whose mother has died. Her father (McGillin), though well-meaning, doesn't fully understand his creative, unusual daughter. When Pamela's eccentric and fabulous Aunt Louise (Carmello) sweeps her away on her birthday to see her very first Broadway musical, Pamela meets many of the colorful personalities of the New York theater world.

David Garrison as the producer Bernie S. Gerry, Sarah McKinley Austin as Pamela and Carolee Carmello as Aunt Louise in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
David Garrison as the producer Bernie S. Gerry, Sarah McKinley Austin as Pamela and Carolee Carmello as Aunt Louise in Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater.
(© T. Charles Erickson)

Pamela's First Musical was originally scheduled to have its world premiere in 2005; that production was canceled after Coleman's death in 2004 and Wasserstein's illness, which led to her untimely death in 2006. Neither artist was able to see the dream of a full production realized.