Old world charm permeates every moment of this bittersweet, wise and gently offbeat fable of life, love and bread by Joseph Stein ("Fiddler On The Roof") and Stephen Schwartz ("Godspell," "Pippin," "Children of Eden" and the films "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" and "The Prince Of Egypt").brbrThe bickering residents of a small Provencal town at last find peace and contentment in the heavenly bread of the newly arrived baker and his attractive young wife, but when she is lured away by the attentions of a handsome young gigolo, the middle-aged baker loses all zest for life and baking, throwing the community into chaos.
Based on the Marcel Pagnol film, “The Baker’s Wife” was supposed to open on Broadway in 1976, or thereabouts, but shuttered on its way to New York City, the most likely culprit being the abominable showman-producer David Merrick. Productions have popped up here and there over the years, and fortunately for New Yorkers, a stellar production of “The Baker’s Wife” opened Tuesday at the Classic Stage Company. It’s by far the year’s best revival of a stage musical. If there’s any justice, this long-neglected musical by Joseph Stein and Stephen Schwartz will finally make it to Broadway with this great ensemble completely intact.
DeBose and Bakula’s welcome return to the theater isn’t the only big news down on 13th St, where the ensemble deserves the much-overused adjective “all-star.” I don’t think I’ve seen so many seasoned pros and award winners together on one stage this side of a Tony Awards audience or Equity benefit. A good thing too, for beyond the romantic triangle, this is the tale of a community ironically named “Concorde,” where petty provincials are ruled by spite until the new baker and his pretty wife arrive to create an uproar. Strong personalities are needed, top to bottom.
| 1976 | Broadway |
Closed on the road Broadway |
| 1980 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
| 1982 | Regional (US) |
West Coast Revival Regional (US) |
| 1983 | New York |
Workshop New York |
| 1985 | Off-Off-Broadway |
York Theatre Company Production Off-Off-Broadway |
| 1986 | Regional (US) |
West Coast Revival Regional (US) |
| 1989 | West End |
London Revival West End |
| 2005 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
| West End |
West End |
|
| 2025 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
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