GET HAPPY
Book and Additional Lyrics by Cheri Steinkellner
Based on the MGM classic film Summer Stock
Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Doug Besterman
Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore
Produced by Steve Peters and Michael Londra of VenuWorks Theatricals,
Greg & Marissa Frankenfield of Excelsior Entertainment,
and Executive Producers Carolyn Rossi Copeland and Nancy Nagel Gibbs.
Produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
Shout hallelujah! Corbin Bleu (Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate, In the Heights; Television: “High School Musical”) and Stephanie Styles (Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate; NY City Center: Ragtime; Television: “Loot,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) will headline a private industry reading of the Broadway-bound musical comedy, Get Happy. The invitation-only reading will be held on January 17 in New York City, it was announced today by producers Steve Peters and Michael Londra of VenuWorks Theatricals, Greg & Marissa Frankenfield of Excelsior Entertainment, and executive producers Carolyn Rossi Copeland and Nancy Nagel Gibbs. Get Happy is produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
Get Happy, which premiered under the title Summer Stock to rave reviews and a sold-out run in 2023 at Connecticut’s esteemed Goodspeed Musicals, features book and additional lyrics by four-time Emmy Award winner Cheri Steinkellner (TV: “Cheers”; Broadway: Sister Act the Musical), musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by three-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman (Broadway: Fosse, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie), and will be directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, making her long-awaited New York City debut after years of acclaimed work at Canada’s Stratford Festival.
Bleu and Styles, reuniting after starring opposite each other in the 2019 Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate, will play the roles of Joe Ross and Jane Falbury, originally played onscreen by Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. The reading will also feature Stephen Lee Anderson (Broadway: Bright Star, Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked) as Lt. Henry ‘Pop’ Falbury, Gilbert L. Bailey II (Broadway: The Book of Mormon, Beetlejuice) as Phil, Tony Award nominee Veanne Cox (Broadway: Company; Caroline, or Change; La Cage aux Folles) as Margaret Wingate, Zoe Jensen (Broadway: Six; The Heart of Rock and Roll) as Gloria Falbury, Will Roland (Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen; Be More Chill) as Orville Wingate, and Tony Award nominee Douglas Sills (Broadway: The Scarlet Pimpernel; Little Shop of Horrors; War Paint) as Montgomery Leach, with Nicholas Cunha, Francesca Mancuso, Corinne Munsch, Kaylee Olson, Aaron Patterson, Jack Sippel, and Cayel Tregeagle.
When the company of a new Broadway show loses their rehearsal space, the gang hoofs it to a family farm in Connecticut where, in the best musical tradition, the show must go on. Along the way, there are unlikely romances, some of the greatest songs of the American songbook, show-stopping choreography, and a farm – and a musical – to save.
Get Happy had critics and audiences cheering alike. The New York Times, in their Critic’s Pick review, wrote, “the show’s craftsmanship, zest, and good humor is perfectly dosed and on target, and this cast is having a blast, chewing up the barn with great gusto. Who could ask for anything more?” The Hartford Courant called it “A big hot dance extravaganza,” and Broadway World raved, “It can’t get to Broadway fast enough.”
Bleu created his role in the Goodspeed world premiere, with The New York Times praising him as “a terrific interpreter of golden-age fare. His athleticism and deceptively casual nonchalance allow him to effortlessly lead energetic dance numbers, and his voice has matured into a warm baritone that works wonders!” Earlier this year, he won the 2024 Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. His Broadway credits include In the Heights, Godspell, and Holiday Inn: The Irving Berlin Musical. He is best known for his role as Chad Danforth in the “High School Musical” franchise.
Styles won a Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in Kiss Me, Kate. She recently played Evelyn Nesbit in the critically acclaimed production of Ragtime at NY City Center and will next star in the Encores! production of Urinetown. Her television credits include her role as a series regular on “Loot,” and recurring roles in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” among others.
General management is by Bespoke Theatricals. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting/Peter Van Dam, CSA.
Additional cast and Broadway production timeline will be announced in the coming weeks.