Classic Stage Company (CSC) (Jill Rafson, Producing Artistic Director) announced today that Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose will star in The Baker’s Wife as Geneviève.
Opening CSC’s 2025-2026 Season, The Baker’s Wife is a legendary musical written in 1976 that has never received a full-scale production in New York City. The musical features a book by Tony Award winner Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), music & lyrics by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, The Queen of Versailles), based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, and direction by Gordon Greenberg (The Heart of Rock and Roll).
The Baker’s Wife will run from October 23 – December 14, 2025 at CSC’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater (136 East 13th Street), with an opening night set for November 11, 2025. A complete performance schedule, additional casting, and full creative team will be announced at a later date.
Ariana DeBose is an award-winning actress renowned for her dynamic roles onstage and in film and television. She gained worldwide recognition for her groundbreaking performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, which earned her an Academy Award, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and SAG Awards. In doing so, she became the first openly queer Afro-Latina to receive an Academy Award. DeBose most recently starred opposite Ke Huy Quan in Universal’s action-romance LOVE HURTS. Her upcoming feature film projects include Lear Rex and Tow, the latter for which she also serves as executive producer. Her other recent films include Matthew Vaughn’s action film Argylle (Apple/Universal), Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s space thriller I.S.S., Disney's 100th anniversary animated film Wish, Kraven the Hunter (Sony Pictures), and House of Spoils(Blumhouse/Prime Video). DeBose also recently wrapped production on the Prime Video series adaptation of Patricia Cornell’s “Scarpetta,” starring opposite Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis.
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, DeBose has hosted the Tony Awards, earning critical acclaim and two Emmy nominations for “Outstanding Variety Special” in 2023 and 2024. She also starred in both seasons of the critically acclaimed musical comedy series “Schmigadoon!” (Apple TV+) as well as Ryan Murphy's The Prom (Netflix). On Broadway, DeBose is perhaps best known for her Tony-nominated role as Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, and for being part of the original cast of Hamilton, in which she also appeared in the film adaptation for Disney+. Other stage credits include Pippin, Motown the Musical, Bring It On: The Musical, and Company. A passionate advocate, DeBose serves on the International Board of Covenant House, supporting homeless LGBTQ youth, and on the boards of trustees for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA) & the Entertainment Community Fund.
"Ariana is one of our finest young singing actresses, and I'm excited by the depth and nuance she will bring to the title role,” said composer Stephen Schwartz. “Plus, I've had the pleasure of hearing her sing "Meadowlark," so I know CSC audiences are in for a treat.”
Director Gordon Greenberg said, "Ariana DeBose brings an electric mix of vulnerability, wit, and star power to Genevieve - qualities that not only honor Stephen and Joe’s beautiful work but also ignite it in thrilling new ways. She’s the kind of performer who makes you lean forward in your seat—not just because of her voice, which is extraordinary, but because of the emotional truth she brings to every moment. Watching her inhabit this role will be like discovering the character for the first time."
In a quiet French village, a baker and his wife bring fresh bread…and fresh gossip. But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief, and melody. The Baker’s Wife brings Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, including the iconic “Meadowlark,” to life in its first major New York appearance. Sweet, surprising, and full of heart, this long-awaited production celebrates love in all its perfectly imperfect recipes.
The Baker’s Wife is presented by special arrangement with the Menier Chocolate Factory (David Babani, Artistic Director), Creative Partners Productions, and Aaron Glick.
TICKETING INFORMATION
To guarantee your tickets, join CSC across the season by becoming a donor, giving you access to an exclusive first pre-sale window and prime seating throughout the season, along with many behind the scenes benefits. To join as a donor, visit https://www.classicstage.org/donor/
You can also access tickets before the general public with the new CSC FlexPass, offering freedom to choose your seats and performance dates across all three CSC productions this season. Offered at two tiers, FlexPass holders also receive free entry into all Rediscovery Readings, the exclusive ability to exchange your tickets free of charge for another performance up to one week before your selected performance date (pending availability), and a full slate of perks including discounts on merchandise and at local businesses. To purchase a FlexPass, visit Classicstage.org/flexpass-info for more information.
In addition to The Baker’s Wife, CSC’s season includes the World Premiere of Marcel on the Train, co-written by Tony Award nominee Ethan Slater (Spongebob Squarepants, Wicked) & Marshall Pailet (Who’s Your Baghdaddy, Private Jones), directed by Pailet, and starring Slater as “Marcel Marceau.”
CSC’s season will conclude in May 2026 with the New York Premiere of master American dramatist Thornton Wilder’s final play, The Emporium, adapted and completed by Kirk Lynn (Lipstick Traces) and directed by Rob Melrose (Born with Teeth).
CSC will also continue the Rediscovery Readings series throughout the season, this year celebrating the art of suspense.