The pizza is being served with a side of ’80s and ’90s nostalgia as Mystic Pizza: A New Musical announces its complete cast ahead of a national tour, which launched Sept. 26, at the Clemens Center in Elmira, New York.
Produced by Big League Productions, the new stage musical is based on the beloved 1988 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film that helped launch Julia Roberts’ career. The musical follows best friends Kat, Daisy and Jojo as they navigate friendship, romance, family expectations and the search for their own identities while working at a small-town pizza shop in Mystic, Connecticut.
Leading the cast are 2022 Jimmy Awards winner Kendall Becerra as Kat, Chloë Lezotte as Daisy and Lexxi Frilles as Jojo. The trio anchors the production’s story of friendship and growing into adulthood as each woman faces unexpected turns in her personal life.
Joining the previously announced leads are Jack Baylis, Nina-Simone Diaz, Lizzie Fitzpatrick-Cárcamo, Travis Flynt, Sam Foti, Albert Igbinigie, Will Ingram, Mike Leadbetter, Richard Morgan, Catherine Rodriguez-O’Connor, Abby Scalici, Tieisha Thomas, Gabe Tobierre and Matt Woodward.
The musical combines the familiar story of the original film with a soundtrack featuring popular songs from the 1980s and 1990s. Audiences can expect performances of hits including “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Hold On” and “Manic Monday,” adding a high-energy concert feel to the coming-of-age story.
Written by Sandy Rustin, whose credits include Clue and The Cottage, Mystic Pizza features arrangements and orchestrations by Carmel Dean, known for The Notebook. Jennifer Werner, whose credits include The Book of Mormon, directs and choreographs the production.
The creative team also includes Joshua Warner on scenery, Dalton Hamilton on lighting, Jen Caprio on costumes and Matt Kraus on sound. Andrew Graham serves as music supervisor, while ARC handles casting. Daniel Sher is the executive producer.
The musical was developed by Lively McCabe Entertainment and Concord Theatricals in partnership with Primary Wave Music, McCoy/Rigby Entertainment and Riverside Theatricals. Before heading out on tour, the production was staged at venues including Ogunquit Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, Riverside Theatre and Paper Mill Playhouse.
Critics have already embraced the production, with Stage Raw describing it as an “undeniably charming new musical” filled with ’80s nostalgia. Stage Scene LA called it a “surefire hit,” while NJ Stage praised the show as funny, heartwarming and nostalgic.
Following its September debut, the national tour will visit cities including Dallas, Detroit and St. Paul, bringing the story of three friends, a legendary pizza shop and a soundtrack of unforgettable hits to audiences across the country.