The Baker’s Wife

 The Baker’s Wife
Classic Stage Company
November 15, 2025

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

The Classic Stage Company production of The Baker’s Wife is lush, romantic, and heartwarming.  This Joseph Stein / Stephen Schwartz musical was originally scheduled to open on Broadway in 1976, but, due to numerous production challenges, never did.  Joseph Stein’s book is fresh and vivid.  Stephen Schwatrtz’s music and lyrics are emotionally stirring.  The collaboration between director Gordon Greenberg and choreographer Stephanie Klemons gives this gem of a musical the life it deserves.  The staging is brilliant, and the stellar cast is superb. 

The people of a small village in France gather to welcome the new baker, Aimable (played by Scott Bakula), and his much younger wife, Geneviève (played by Ariana DeBose).  Since the previous baker’s passing, they have all missed the enticing aroma of fresh baked bread pervading the air in the early morning.  Aimable exceeds everyone’s expectations with his breads, croissants, and sweet pastries.  When Dominigue (played by Kevin William Paul) stops into the bakery to pick up the Marquis’ order, he is smitten by Geneviève.  He tries to charm her, but she makes it clear that she is married and not interested.  This does not discourage Dominique.  He continues to pursue her, until she finally gives in and runs off with him.  Aimable is heartbroken and unable to bake any longer.  The people of the village unite to find Geneviève and bring her back.    

Ariana DuBose
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Ariana DuBose and Scott Bakula are amazing together as Aimable and Geneviève.  Their bond is strong from their first entrance, and their mutual affection is palpable.  As the audience gets to know them, the flaw in their relationship that allows Geneviève to succumb to Dominique’s masculine charms becomes evident.  Geneviève comes to a solemn realization after leaving her husband.  Ms. DuBose plays this moment with sincerity in the song “Where is the Warmth?”  Scott Bakula genuinely portrays Aimable’s broken heart when Geneviève leaves him.  He goes into deep denial, causing a lethargic depression.  The scene where he is reunited with Geneviève is skillfully written, exposing the intense despair and betrayal felt by Aimable.  Mr. Bakula plays this flawlessly, masking his feelings, then igniting an emotional outburst, then finally addressing his wife with direct honesty.  

Ariana DuBose, Scott Bakula, & the Cast
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

The passion of the full story is explored through the people of this small village and how they open their hearts to the new baker and his young wife.  Judy Kuhn is endearing as Denise.  Her husband, Claude (played by Robert Cuccioli), continually takes her for granted.  The love for his wife is rekindled when Geneviève returns to Aimable.  It is a heartwarming moment.  Alma Cuervo is feisty as Therese, who comes to her senses and leaves her emotionally abusive husband, Barnaby (played by Manu Narayan).  This adds sadness to the otherwise happy ending, yet completes the story with a simple layer of reality.  All the people of the village transform through their experience with the baker’s loss and reunification with his wife.  Mr. Narayan and Mr. Cuccioli develop a comically antagonistic rapport as Barnaby and Claude that resolves itself when they partner to search for Geneviève.  There are also outstanding performances by Arnie Burton, Kevin Del Aguila, Nathan Lee Graham, Sally Murphy and Kevin William Paul.

Judy Kuhn
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

The scenic design, by Jason Sherwood, is ingenious.  It surrounds the Classic Stage Company three-quarter space, fully enveloping the audience in the atmosphere of this small French village.  It is a quaint and warm setting, and beautifully executed. 

The Classic Stage Company production of The Baker’s Wife has been extended through December 21.  Ariana DuBose’s moving rendition of “Meadowlark” in the first act is not to be missed.  Get a ticket right away!  

Domenick Danza

Fun Home

Fun Home

Circle in the Square

February 17, 2016

Photo courtesy of Fun Home

Fun Home is an emotional journey of growing up and facing life’s hidden truths. It is a tender and realistic view of the world at that time in life when certain truths that have been held back are brought out into the open.  It is the emotional triumph when you make sense of it all and are able to face life with hope and truer sense of yourself.  These are very big statements to make about a Broadway musical, yet to sit in the theatre and experience the lives of the characters unfold in a multi-dimensional manner is rare.  The story itself, based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, is funny, honest, and moving.  The book and lyrics by Lisa Kron are bold and riveting.  The music by Jeanine Tesori engulfs and engages you in the dichotomy of both the whimsy and stark realities of the characters and situation.

Beth Malone & Micheal Cerveris
Photo courtesy of Fun Home

The main character, Alison (played by Beth Malone), tell us in the first scene that she and her dad (played by Michael Cerveris) are gay and that he killed himself by stepping out in front of a speeding truck.  That very tragic proclamation is quickly forgotten as you follow the playful antics of Alison (played by Gabriella Pizzolo as a child) and her two brothers (played by Zell Stelle Morrow and Oscar Williams).  She comes out while in college (played at that age by Lauren Patten) and begins to face the darker truths of her family life.  The fact that we simultaneously see Alison played by three actors at specific phases of her life combined with the amazing writing and emotional score allows the story to peel away and be revealed one layer at a time.   This gives the

Judy Kuhn & Sydney Lucas (original cast)
Photo courtesy of Fun Home

perspective of Alison’s memory a dominant role in the narrative as facts open up and then folds back in non-chronological order.   The most heart-rending moment is by Judy Kuhn as Alison’s mother in the song “Days and Days.”  It is a courageous confession of the disappointments in her marriage and the hopes for her daughter.  Ms. Kuhn delivers it flawlessly.

The set design by David Zinn and lighting design by Ben Stanton are phenomenal.  The flow from one moment to the next is conceived and conveyed brilliantly.  The design is in the scheme as set pieces and furniture rise up from beneath the floor, then descend to reappear on the other side of the stage.  They utilize the capacity

Photo courtesy of Fun Home

and technology of the space with carefully crafted expertise.

Everything you heard and read about Fun Home is true.  It is sure to be running for a long while, yet don’t put off seeing it.  It is a work of theatre that needs to be experienced first-hand. 

Domenick Danza