An invitation-only reading of The Bad News Bears—a new musical based on the 1976 Paramount Studios film—is presented February 27 in Manhattan.
Sherri Eden Barber directs a cast that includes Tony winner Bonnie Milligan (Kimberly Akimbo), Chris Sullivan (The Thanksgiving Play), and Ava Briglia (Matilda the Musical). Makulumy Alexander-Hills is the musical director.
The stage adaptation, penned by Brian Feinstein and Eric Garcia, follows a washed-up baseball player who takes a job coaching a ragtag team of Little League misfits, including his ex-stepdaughter, and winds up finding victory in many places.
Erin Gioia Albrecht is the stage manager with casting by Geoff Josselson.
The 1976 film featured a screenplay by Bill Lancaster and starred Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal, and Vic Morrow. Michael Ritchie directed.
The Bad News Bears musical is produced by Marissa McMahon of Kamala Theatrical Productions with general management by Nathan Gehan and Rebecca Crigler of ShowTown Theatricals.
