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

Some Like It Hot

 Some Like It Hot
Shubert Theatre
December 9, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Some Like It Hot

The creators of Some Like It Hot have taken a much loved Hollywood classic and transformed it into a brand new Broadway musical.  The story has the same premise and structure as the film, yet develops the characters in unexpected ways that ring with sheer joy, while making direct and honest statements about the time period.  Marc Shaiman’s score is filled with one show stopper after another.  When he hits you with a ballad, you drink it in for all it’s worth.  The book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin is sharp, funny, and full of surprises.  Casey Nicholaw masterfully directs and choreographers with a clear vision and potent delivery.

When Joe (played by Christian Borle) and Jerry (played by J. Harrison Ghee) witness a mob hit while playing a club in Chicago, they are forced to put on dresses and join an all girl’s band that is headed to California.  Sweet Sue (played by NaTasha Yvette Williams) formed the band as a way to get out of playing Speakeasies.  She hired Sugar (played by Adrianna Hicks) as her lead singer, who is always late and breaks all the band’s rules.  Joe, now called Josephine, is strongly attracted to Sugar, while Jerry, who now goes by Daphne, is finding himself very comfortable dressing as a woman.  When they get to California, Daphne meets Osgood (played by Kevin Del Aguila), a wealthy hotel owner.  Osgood sweeps Daphne off to Mexico for a romantic night of dancing, where Daphne gains her confidence.  Meanwhile, Joe, disguised as a film director, takes Sugar for a date on Osgood’s yacht.  They talk (and dance) and fall in love (Fred and Ginger style).  When the gangsters show up in California to invest in Sweet Sue’s all girl band, all hell breaks loose, and it’s time to face the music. 

Christian Borle & J. Harrison Ghee
Photo courtesy of Some Like It Hot

Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee are a dynamic team.  Their comic timing is perfect and they dance as one.  Adrianna Hicks is vibrant as Sugar.  Her character belts out the ballads in the score, creating grounded, truthful, and riveting moments.  NaTasha Yvette Williams creates the through line of action for the show as the no-nonsense, sarcastic Sweet Sue.  She keeps the pace moving.  Her singing rocks the house.  Kevin Del Aguila plays both comedy and romance with equal dexterity as Osgood.  He takes the funniest moments and shifts to heartfelt sincerity in an instant.   

Adrianna Hicks as Sugar
Photo courtesy of Some Like It Hot

While in Mexico, the character of Jerry realizes that Daphne is more than just a disguise, but an opportunity to be himself.  J. Harrison Ghee plays this as a genuine awakening.  It is touching and truthful, yet Mr. Ghee finds the timing that brings the laughs.  His warmth and vulnerability are magnetic.  His song, “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather” is flawlessly performed and impeccably written (lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman).  

The climax of Act II is a tap dancing, door slamming, farcical chase that ends with a bang.  It is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.  Some Like It Hot is sure to be a big hit.  You’ve got to see it!   

Domenick Danza