Celebrating a child's birthday with Edwina is a fabulous all-in-one party that includes the show and party space!
Cast members can be available to sing a song for the birthday boy or girl and sign autographs for the whole gang. You provide pizza, punch, cake and cupakes, and DR2 takes care of the clean-up!
Time Out New York said, "For the second kids' sesason...some audience perks include group discounts and free use of the D-Lounge, a swanky underground cabaret space(with a full bar that can serve juice for kids' parties)."
Groups are only 10 or more!
Single Tickets $39.... Group Rate $29!! (commissionable)
Party Space Available for Groups of 20 or More
Call (212) 375-1110 ext. 4
Oct 15, 2009
Sep 22, 2009
Edwina Writers Release New CD
From Playbill.com Click here to read the original article.
Songwriting duo Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich — whose musicals include Junie B. Jones, Ever After and Dear Edwina — have recorded 14 of their songs on a new CD that will be released in November.
Entitled "Marcy & Zina: The Album," the recording is due Nov. 3 on the Yellow Sound Label. Jill Abramovitz and Scott Coulter are guest vocalists on the new disc.
With "Marcy & Zina: The Album," press notes state, "these hopeless romantics invite listeners to join them on their search for love from Antarctica to Baltimore, with a big stop smack in the middle of Manhattan."
To celebrate the release of the new disc, Goldrich and Heisler will perform at Birdland Nov. 2 Special guests will include Alan Cumming, Stephanie J. Block, Scott Coulter, Jill Abramovitz, Elena Shaddow and Stephen Bogardus. For more information visit http://www.birdlandjazz.com/.
Tour dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, Waco and other cities will be announced at a later time.
Dear Edwina's Returning December 2009!
NEW YORK (Sept. 8) – Due to the overwhelming success of last season’s Drama Desk-nominated musical comedy for all ages, DEAR EDWINA, producer Daryl Roth is pleased to announce that the show will return to its home at the DR2 Kids Theatre (103 E. 15th St., NYC) for the holiday season and beyond.
Notes Daryl Roth, “We’re thrilled that DEAR EDWINA will come ‘home for the holidays’ to the DR2 Kids Theatre, and we hope that those who missed it earlier will catch the show now. Of course, we’d love to see fans of last season’s production in the audience again, too!”
From Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, the team that created the critically acclaimed Junie B. Jones: The Musical, comes DEAR EDWINA, a bright, cheery and fast paced show about Edwina Spoonapple and her pals who put on shows in Edwina’s garage. A celebration of friendship and family, DEAR EDWINA instills a love of musical comedy in newcomers and delights those already hooked.
DEAR EDWINA’s plucky heroine, Edwina Spoonapple, has a special talent for giving advice, and she would do almost anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. When a talent scout visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, Edwina – assisted by a host of quirky friends and neighbors - enthusiastically sings out her musical advice in hilarious and endearing songs about everything from party etiquette (“Frankenguest”) to the proper way to set a table (“Fork, Knife, Spoon”). At its heart, DEAR EDWINA honors learning and listening, having fun, surviving disappointment – not only giving good advice, but taking it too.
Tickets for DEAR EDWINA are priced at $39 and are available at DearEdwina.com or by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets may also be purchased at the DR2 box office, 103 East 15th Street, NYC. Group rates are available.
Notes Daryl Roth, “We’re thrilled that DEAR EDWINA will come ‘home for the holidays’ to the DR2 Kids Theatre, and we hope that those who missed it earlier will catch the show now. Of course, we’d love to see fans of last season’s production in the audience again, too!”
From Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, the team that created the critically acclaimed Junie B. Jones: The Musical, comes DEAR EDWINA, a bright, cheery and fast paced show about Edwina Spoonapple and her pals who put on shows in Edwina’s garage. A celebration of friendship and family, DEAR EDWINA instills a love of musical comedy in newcomers and delights those already hooked.
DEAR EDWINA’s plucky heroine, Edwina Spoonapple, has a special talent for giving advice, and she would do almost anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. When a talent scout visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, Edwina – assisted by a host of quirky friends and neighbors - enthusiastically sings out her musical advice in hilarious and endearing songs about everything from party etiquette (“Frankenguest”) to the proper way to set a table (“Fork, Knife, Spoon”). At its heart, DEAR EDWINA honors learning and listening, having fun, surviving disappointment – not only giving good advice, but taking it too.
Tickets for DEAR EDWINA are priced at $39 and are available at DearEdwina.com or by calling Telecharge at 212.239.6200. Tickets may also be purchased at the DR2 box office, 103 East 15th Street, NYC. Group rates are available.
Apr 14, 2009
Hurry...This is your last chance!
DEAR EDWINA CLOSES THIS WEEK.
This Sunday, April 19th, is the last performance.
Thank you to Nicole at Momtrendsnyc.com for her great post about our show!
We would love to hear about your experience seeing Dear Edwina. Please email us at Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave a message here.
Mar 26, 2009
Meet the Choreographer...
Name: Steven G. Kennedy
Role with the production: Choreographer
What was the first play you were ever in? Hansel and Gretel
How old were you? 7
What was your part?
I was a gingerbread cookie
When did you know you wanted to work in the theatre?
The day I was born. I was the youngest of 6, so my survival technique was to make people laugh….it was a natural fit.
How did you decide to become a choreographer?
I was an actor for many years and choreography found me. I have enjoyed it ever since.
What was your first show in New York?
The Toy Shoppe, starring the one and only gambler, Kenny Rogers.
What was your experience with Dear Edwina? How did you get involved with the production?
I have been friends with Marcy and Zina for many years. I have also worked on several productions of Dear Edwina and Dear Edwina JR over the years. I was honored to join the production staff this show. The experience was beyond belief. The cast was a joy to work with, Daryl Roth [the producer] and her team were a dream and the creative team was top notch. I put this experience as one of my top theatrical experiences.
What is your favorite part about working on Dear Edwina?
I enjoyed the people—the cast, crew, creative and production staff. It was such a wonderful rehearsal process, I think we all left for the day with a smile on our face!
What was the most challenging part of working on Dear Edwina?
The biggest challenge I had was the limited space. Dear Edwina has so many production numbers and I was worried the intimate space would be a concern, but I was thrilled to learn and adapt and I feel like I am a better choreographer because of the challenge.
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to or enjoy? Was their one that you remember needed to learn when you were younger?
Sing Your Own Song is such a lovely song….I think it is so important to be yourself and enjoy it. I learn most from and tend to gravitate towards people who are different than me. The world would be terribly boring if we were identical.
If you have questions or comments for Steven, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message on this post.
Role with the production: Choreographer
What was the first play you were ever in? Hansel and Gretel
How old were you? 7
What was your part?
I was a gingerbread cookie
When did you know you wanted to work in the theatre?
The day I was born. I was the youngest of 6, so my survival technique was to make people laugh….it was a natural fit.
How did you decide to become a choreographer?
I was an actor for many years and choreography found me. I have enjoyed it ever since.
What was your first show in New York?
The Toy Shoppe, starring the one and only gambler, Kenny Rogers.
What was your experience with Dear Edwina? How did you get involved with the production?
I have been friends with Marcy and Zina for many years. I have also worked on several productions of Dear Edwina and Dear Edwina JR over the years. I was honored to join the production staff this show. The experience was beyond belief. The cast was a joy to work with, Daryl Roth [the producer] and her team were a dream and the creative team was top notch. I put this experience as one of my top theatrical experiences.
What is your favorite part about working on Dear Edwina?
I enjoyed the people—the cast, crew, creative and production staff. It was such a wonderful rehearsal process, I think we all left for the day with a smile on our face!
What was the most challenging part of working on Dear Edwina?
The biggest challenge I had was the limited space. Dear Edwina has so many production numbers and I was worried the intimate space would be a concern, but I was thrilled to learn and adapt and I feel like I am a better choreographer because of the challenge.
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to or enjoy? Was their one that you remember needed to learn when you were younger?
Sing Your Own Song is such a lovely song….I think it is so important to be yourself and enjoy it. I learn most from and tend to gravitate towards people who are different than me. The world would be terribly boring if we were identical.
If you have questions or comments for Steven, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message on this post.
Mar 18, 2009
Meet the Director...
Name: Timothy A. McDonald
Role with the production: Director
What was the first play you were ever in?
It was home grown musical, created by my 7th Grade Choir teacher, Mrs. Bowman. It was a variety show of sorts, but with a theme. I played a very goofy husband-slash-agent of a diva opera singer--very high brow, for Anderson Middle School. My first legit show was Pippin, my first rehearsal was on my thirteenth birthday. I was the only kid in the show (besides the child who played “Theo” a girl, who went on to star in the “Small Wonder” television show. I went on to the role of Snoopy in Snoopy in High School. )
When did you know you wanted to work in the theatre?
I’ve always enjoyed the dramatic, I’ve always been drawn to people who are different, bigger than life, passionate and exciting, which means I’ve always been drawn to the thee-ater as they say in Northern California where I grew up…But that’s not the question, is it? The question is when did I know I wanted to “work” in the theatre. Funny, I’ve never thought of theatre as work. Work is shoveling sawdust out of a trailer in one-hundred-and-sixteen-degree heat, or cleaning toilettes, or roofing houses (I’ve done all three and more by the way.) Theatre is much more playful, imaginative, and exciting. The fact that we get paid is a wonder—much appreciated I might add—but a wonder none the less.
How did you decide to become a director?
My mom says that when I was a child I’d watch Sesame Street and say things like “they should have ended that song differently” or “Kermit should have done this and it would have been funnier” so I’ve always had a natural flair to boss people around. Not that directing is just about bossing people around, because it’s not. Directing is bossing people around in such a way that they don’t know they’re being bossed. At least that’s what my Dad told me. Like so many, I thought I wanted to be a performer when I was a kid. But as I got older, I didn’t like doing the same shows eight times a week. I also was one of those performers who thought most directors weren’t very talented, so I stepped up and started directing and by the time I turned thirty years old, I had directed well over a hundred musicals…so I must have been o.k. at it…
What was your first show in New York?
I spent years developing the Broadway Junior Collection at Music Theatre International, which is how I met Aaron who is asking me these questions. Aaron was a kid who worked with us at Palo Alto Children’s Theatre as a stage manager…I think on Bugsy Malone Junior, but I may be wrong. [EDITOR'S NOTE: It was actually Music Man Junior] Alas, I digress…my first New York shows were titles like Once On This Island Junior and Honk! Junior and yes, Dear Edwina Junior. My first “big boy” show was working with Jason Moore and Cameron Mackintosh on the finale for Les Miserables on Broadway. We brought in high school kids to perform a special 20 minute version of the show to symbolize the passing of the Les Miz torch. It must have worked, Les Miz re-opened a year or two later. Dear Edwina is my first Off Broadway show.
What was your experience with Dear Edwina? How did you get involved with the production?
I’ve known Marcy and Zina for a “year or two.” (To reveal an actual amount would be unflattering to us all…) and I’ve been a fan of Edwina since day one. I feel a bit like Edwina’s crazy uncle, who gives her out-of-the-box advice, kinda like that crazy Aunt that Jan had on the Brady bunch? (Does anyone know the Brady Bunch any more?) Anyway…Marcy called me out of the blue and asked if I’d meet with Daryl Roth, check out DR2 and see if Edwina would work in the space. I fell in the love with the space—it’s perfect for Edwina and I shared my enthusiasm with Daryl, and Adam and anyone who would listen. Next beat, I got the directing gig! We did a workshop, and the rest is living history.
What is your favorite part about working on Dear Edwina?
I love rehearsals and pre production--experiencing the actors and musicians find their way, seeing a show materialize from the designers’ imaginations—it’s just so exciting. Our entire Edwina production team—Marcy and Zina, Daryl (our producer) and her folks, the designers, actors, musicians, Steven and Rob (our choreography team)...everyone worked towards the same goal: creating the best Dear Edwina ever. And we did. And we continue to. And we not only worked hard, we also found fun and joy in our work.
What was the most challenging part of working on Dear Edwina?
Personally, I struggled staging the opening number. In fact, I staged it four or five different ways. For whatever reason I just couldn’t get it right…We did eventually, but I made it harder than I should have. Also teaching the cast to play ukuleles was a challenge. Everyone was willing to learn, but I’d never taught anyone to play a ukulele before…
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to or enjoy? Was their one that you remember needed to learn when you were younger?
Put it in the Piggy is great advice and advice that I follow…I’ve always “Sang my own Song” but I think it’s good to remind yourself that our difference make us strong. I was a lot like Edinwa…so I needed to be reminded often “don’t think about prizes, just do what you love.”
Anything additional you would like to add?
One of my favorite things that we did in rehearsals for Dear Edwina was have the cast spend a Saturday afternoon with a cast of kids who were working on a pilot of Disney’s High School Musical 2 Junior. It was hysterical to see our professional actors find their own 11 year old “peers.” It was also super eye opening: We discovered that middle school kids aren’t that different from adults, and we didn’t need to “act like kids” in Dear Edwina, we just needed to let the characters be. It was a great day, the cast performed for the kids and the kids performed for the cast and, once again, the world was right because of the power of musical theatre.
If you have questions or comments for Tim, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message on this post.
Role with the production: Director
What was the first play you were ever in?
It was home grown musical, created by my 7th Grade Choir teacher, Mrs. Bowman. It was a variety show of sorts, but with a theme. I played a very goofy husband-slash-agent of a diva opera singer--very high brow, for Anderson Middle School. My first legit show was Pippin, my first rehearsal was on my thirteenth birthday. I was the only kid in the show (besides the child who played “Theo” a girl, who went on to star in the “Small Wonder” television show. I went on to the role of Snoopy in Snoopy in High School. )
When did you know you wanted to work in the theatre?
I’ve always enjoyed the dramatic, I’ve always been drawn to people who are different, bigger than life, passionate and exciting, which means I’ve always been drawn to the thee-ater as they say in Northern California where I grew up…But that’s not the question, is it? The question is when did I know I wanted to “work” in the theatre. Funny, I’ve never thought of theatre as work. Work is shoveling sawdust out of a trailer in one-hundred-and-sixteen-degree heat, or cleaning toilettes, or roofing houses (I’ve done all three and more by the way.) Theatre is much more playful, imaginative, and exciting. The fact that we get paid is a wonder—much appreciated I might add—but a wonder none the less.
How did you decide to become a director?
My mom says that when I was a child I’d watch Sesame Street and say things like “they should have ended that song differently” or “Kermit should have done this and it would have been funnier” so I’ve always had a natural flair to boss people around. Not that directing is just about bossing people around, because it’s not. Directing is bossing people around in such a way that they don’t know they’re being bossed. At least that’s what my Dad told me. Like so many, I thought I wanted to be a performer when I was a kid. But as I got older, I didn’t like doing the same shows eight times a week. I also was one of those performers who thought most directors weren’t very talented, so I stepped up and started directing and by the time I turned thirty years old, I had directed well over a hundred musicals…so I must have been o.k. at it…
What was your first show in New York?
I spent years developing the Broadway Junior Collection at Music Theatre International, which is how I met Aaron who is asking me these questions. Aaron was a kid who worked with us at Palo Alto Children’s Theatre as a stage manager…I think on Bugsy Malone Junior, but I may be wrong. [EDITOR'S NOTE: It was actually Music Man Junior] Alas, I digress…my first New York shows were titles like Once On This Island Junior and Honk! Junior and yes, Dear Edwina Junior. My first “big boy” show was working with Jason Moore and Cameron Mackintosh on the finale for Les Miserables on Broadway. We brought in high school kids to perform a special 20 minute version of the show to symbolize the passing of the Les Miz torch. It must have worked, Les Miz re-opened a year or two later. Dear Edwina is my first Off Broadway show.
What was your experience with Dear Edwina? How did you get involved with the production?
I’ve known Marcy and Zina for a “year or two.” (To reveal an actual amount would be unflattering to us all…) and I’ve been a fan of Edwina since day one. I feel a bit like Edwina’s crazy uncle, who gives her out-of-the-box advice, kinda like that crazy Aunt that Jan had on the Brady bunch? (Does anyone know the Brady Bunch any more?) Anyway…Marcy called me out of the blue and asked if I’d meet with Daryl Roth, check out DR2 and see if Edwina would work in the space. I fell in the love with the space—it’s perfect for Edwina and I shared my enthusiasm with Daryl, and Adam and anyone who would listen. Next beat, I got the directing gig! We did a workshop, and the rest is living history.
What is your favorite part about working on Dear Edwina?
I love rehearsals and pre production--experiencing the actors and musicians find their way, seeing a show materialize from the designers’ imaginations—it’s just so exciting. Our entire Edwina production team—Marcy and Zina, Daryl (our producer) and her folks, the designers, actors, musicians, Steven and Rob (our choreography team)...everyone worked towards the same goal: creating the best Dear Edwina ever. And we did. And we continue to. And we not only worked hard, we also found fun and joy in our work.
What was the most challenging part of working on Dear Edwina?
Personally, I struggled staging the opening number. In fact, I staged it four or five different ways. For whatever reason I just couldn’t get it right…We did eventually, but I made it harder than I should have. Also teaching the cast to play ukuleles was a challenge. Everyone was willing to learn, but I’d never taught anyone to play a ukulele before…
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to or enjoy? Was their one that you remember needed to learn when you were younger?
Put it in the Piggy is great advice and advice that I follow…I’ve always “Sang my own Song” but I think it’s good to remind yourself that our difference make us strong. I was a lot like Edinwa…so I needed to be reminded often “don’t think about prizes, just do what you love.”
Anything additional you would like to add?
One of my favorite things that we did in rehearsals for Dear Edwina was have the cast spend a Saturday afternoon with a cast of kids who were working on a pilot of Disney’s High School Musical 2 Junior. It was hysterical to see our professional actors find their own 11 year old “peers.” It was also super eye opening: We discovered that middle school kids aren’t that different from adults, and we didn’t need to “act like kids” in Dear Edwina, we just needed to let the characters be. It was a great day, the cast performed for the kids and the kids performed for the cast and, once again, the world was right because of the power of musical theatre.
If you have questions or comments for Tim, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message on this post.
Mar 12, 2009
Meet the Company...Part 3
Here is our third interview in our series with people involved with Dear Edwina.
Name: Janice Mays
Role: Edwina
What was the first play you were ever in?
I think the first full-length play was the Sound of Music at Toby's Dinner Theater
How old were you?
12 (I think...)
What was your part?
Brigitta
When did you know you wanted to be a professional actor?
I've wanted to be a performer for a very long time, but I've had phases of wanting to do other things like be a teacher or an astronaut or a doctor or a nurse or a pilot or a writer or a professional scuba diver. I'm still thinking about that last one.
Is this your first show in New York?
Yes indeedy!
Tell us about learning that you had been cast in Dear Edwina. How did you find out? Was it exciting?
I found out over the phone and it was very exciting! It was also a bit surprising because I moved to New York a month before getting the job and graduated from college a few months before that... When I moved up here (from Maryland) everyone told me that it takes a really long time to get cast in a show and I should be fully prepared to wait tables for at least a year. So... yes. It was VERY exciting.
What is your favorite part about being in Dear Edwina?
Tough question... Marcy and Zina (the composer and lyricist) are some of my favorite writers and it is so much fun to perform their material. I love our cast - everyone is so talented and we always have great time together... we really lucked out on that one because we're together ALL the time! We've also had some really great audiences which helps the show stay fresh and exciting for us on stage.
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to? Was their one that you remember needing to learn when you were younger?
It'd have to be "Sing Your Own Song." Feeling the pressure to fit in is a part of everyday life (for kids AND adults...). Somehow in middle school being a cool kid feels like the only thing that matters. I always knew I was a little bit different from other kids and often felt intimidated by them. Eventually I learned that life is so much more fun and interesting when you stop trying to fit in and start "singing your own song!"
What was your favorite game when you were in elementary school?
Definitely Capture the Flag. We'd played with all the kids in my neighborhood every day. And I'm not gonna lie... I was pretty good.
If you have questions for Janice, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message here.
Name: Janice Mays
Role: Edwina
What was the first play you were ever in?
I think the first full-length play was the Sound of Music at Toby's Dinner Theater
How old were you?
12 (I think...)
What was your part?
Brigitta
When did you know you wanted to be a professional actor?
I've wanted to be a performer for a very long time, but I've had phases of wanting to do other things like be a teacher or an astronaut or a doctor or a nurse or a pilot or a writer or a professional scuba diver. I'm still thinking about that last one.
Is this your first show in New York?
Yes indeedy!
Tell us about learning that you had been cast in Dear Edwina. How did you find out? Was it exciting?
I found out over the phone and it was very exciting! It was also a bit surprising because I moved to New York a month before getting the job and graduated from college a few months before that... When I moved up here (from Maryland) everyone told me that it takes a really long time to get cast in a show and I should be fully prepared to wait tables for at least a year. So... yes. It was VERY exciting.
What is your favorite part about being in Dear Edwina?
Tough question... Marcy and Zina (the composer and lyricist) are some of my favorite writers and it is so much fun to perform their material. I love our cast - everyone is so talented and we always have great time together... we really lucked out on that one because we're together ALL the time! We've also had some really great audiences which helps the show stay fresh and exciting for us on stage.
What song/lesson from the show do you most relate to? Was their one that you remember needing to learn when you were younger?
It'd have to be "Sing Your Own Song." Feeling the pressure to fit in is a part of everyday life (for kids AND adults...). Somehow in middle school being a cool kid feels like the only thing that matters. I always knew I was a little bit different from other kids and often felt intimidated by them. Eventually I learned that life is so much more fun and interesting when you stop trying to fit in and start "singing your own song!"
What was your favorite game when you were in elementary school?
Definitely Capture the Flag. We'd played with all the kids in my neighborhood every day. And I'm not gonna lie... I was pretty good.
If you have questions for Janice, the rest of the cast and crew, or just about the show in general, please email them to Dear.EdwinaBlog@gmail.com or leave them as a message here.
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