“Last Of The Red Hot Mamas” In World Premiere At Bucks Playhouse

NEW HOPE, PA — From serving up jokes with a side of blintzes in a Hartford Jewish deli to performing for adoring crowds at Broadway’s Palace Theater in seven short years, the unexpected rise of Sophie Tucker to the rank of comic superstar is the subject of the new world premiere musical, “Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” making its debut at Bucks County Playhouse from June 28 through July 27.

The Playhouse’s Producing Director Alexander Fraser, Executive Producer Robyn Goodman, and Producer Joshua Fiedler announced casting and details for this new musical, which features direction and choreography by Shea Sullivan, and a book by Susan Ecker, Harrison David Rivers and Lloyd Ecker.

“Last of the Red Hot Mamas” is the 11th world premiere production at the New Hope theater since it reopened in 2012 and is part of Playhouse’s commitment to developing new work.

“The big surprise for me was seeing how Sophie Tucker’s wild, racy and very funny take on life changed show business forever,” says Alexander Fraser, Producing Director. “Sophie Tucker made the world accept her for who she was . . . a full-figured Jewish girl with a voice as loud as a steam whistle. We’re proud to help shed light how she paved the way for all those to follow who felt like they didn’t fit in."

In 1973, while they were students at Ithaca College, Susan Denner (now Ecker) and Lloyd Ecker went on a first date to a Bette Midler concert. The couple quickly fell in love — with both each other and the "Divine Miss M." Midler's hilarious ‘Soph’ jokes piqued their curiosity about their origin — the pioneering vaudeville performer Sophie Tucker — leading the duo to publish a fictional memoir, “I Am Sophie Tucker,” and create a well-regarded documentary, “The Outrageous Sophie Tucker.”

A big new musical is the next step in the Eckers’ 50-plus year fascination with the saucy, sassy comedienne — Sophie Tucker. To bring their dream to life, they joined forces with Sullivan, and award-winning playwright, Harrison David Rivers.

"Picture a groundbreaking, occasionally arrested for sexual innuendo, jazz-singing, 25-year-old very plump ‘Taylor Swift’ of 1913. Sophie Tucker was on the front pages every day, with men craving her and women copying her hair and fashion styles. We’re confident our must-see world premiere musical is going to make Tucker an international icon ... again,” says Lloyd Ecker.

“We’re equally sure the innovative and exciting Bucks County Playhouse is about to become the place to be this July," added Susan Ecker.

Before Mae West, Bette Midler or Queen Latifah, there was Sophie Tucker. With the help of two former Harlem headliners, Tucker rose from the deli counter to become a full-fledged star in her own right. Tucker was known for performing songs, including "After You’re Gone", “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” and "Some of These Days.” The musical will feature these songs, along with other classics of their time — delivered with lots of tap dancing, and a big dose of Sophie’s groundbreaking, sassy humor.

Ryann Redmond (Broadway’s first female Olaf in “Disney’s Frozen” and most recently “Once Upon a One More Time”) will perform the role of Sophie Tucker alongside Rheaume Crenshaw (Broadway’s “Shucked,” “Groundhog Day,” “Caroline or Change”) as Mollie Elkins, DeWitt Fleming Jr. (Tour of “A Wonderful World,” and Encore’s “The Tap Dance Kid”) as Bojangles Robinson and Stephanie Gibson (BCP’s “The Rocky Horror Show” and “National Pastime” and Broadway’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) as Nora Bayes.

The cast also includes Willie Clyde Beaton II (Walnut Street’s “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”), Lincoln Belford (National Tour of “Chicago”), Natalie Bellamy (Playhouse debut), Kelly Bolick (Public Theater’s “Southern Comfort”), Jonathan Hadley (Broadway’s “Jersey Boys”), Jenny Kay Hoffman (National Tour: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”), Hannah Hubbard (Fulton Theater’s “Something Rotten”), Daniel Lopez (“Into the Woods” at the Hollywood Bowl), Bobby MacDonnell (currently in “Boy Band Evolution”), Michael Persson (National Tour: “42nd Street”), Danny Rutigliano (Broadway’s “I Need That” and “Beetlejuice”) and Rachel Stern (Broadway’s “Girl from North Country” and “Shrek”).

The creative team for the production consists of Nate Bertone (Scenic Design), Jeanette Christensen (Costume Design), J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig and Makeup Design), Kirk Bookman (Lighting Design), and Jeff Sherwood (Sound Design). Merrick A.B. Williams is production stage manager. Musical arrangements by Sam Davis with orchestrations and additional arrangements by Greg Jarrett. Casting is by Paul Hardt.

“Last of the Red Hot Mamas” will begin previews on Friday, June 28 with an official press opening on Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Starting with the 2024 season, the show times have changed – with performances beginning 30 minutes earlier than in 2023. All evening performances now all begin at 7:30 p.m., with all matinees now performed at 1:30 pm. “Last of the Red Hot Mamas” will play Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Patrons are invited to a special “Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance” on Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. Suggested minimum is $10. Student rush tickets are also available at all performances, based on availability.

For full details, and to purchase tickets, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215-862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope.