Berkeley Rep will present the dazzling world premiere musical, GALILEO (May/June 2024), helmed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (American Idiot, Swept Away, Spring Awakening), written by two-time Emmy winner Danny Strong (Dopesick, Empire, The Butler), and choreographed by David Neumann (Swept Away, Hadestown).
When maverick scientist Galileo Galilei makes celestial observations that challenge humanity's understanding of its place in the universe, he's summoned to Rome to defend his discoveries before the most powerful religious institution in the world, which is facing a rebellion of its own. With an original rock score and lyrics by Michael Weiner (Broadway's First Date) and Zoe Sarnak, Galileois an explosive collision of science and faith, truth and power.
Galileo will likely join the constellation of world premieres that traveled from Berkeley Rep to Broadway. Galileo is presented by special arrangement with Jordan Roth and Key to the City Productions. Performances of Galileo will take place at Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre.
For Raul's own sake I hope this is more like the Company revival and less like Leap of Faith (in fact, I can't believe he hasn't been on Broadway since Leap of Faith!). This man is one of the most talented we have and deserves good writing.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
If truth be told, this entire antiquated site needs a major reboot. However, most of us have become accustomed to its creaking machinations. Now, the name "Galileo" has worked very well so far in song, why not as a whole musical?