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Ariana DeBose Will Return to New York Stage in Landmark Revival of ‘The Baker’s Wife’
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Oscar winner Ariana DeBose is set to make her highly anticipated return to the New York stage this fall, starring as Geneviève in the Classic Stage Company’s Off-Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz’s The Baker’s Wife. The production, launching CSC’s 2025-2026 season, will run at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater from October 23 to December 14, with an official opening night on November 11, 2025 .
DeBose, celebrated for her electrifying performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and acclaimed turns in Hamilton, The Prom, and Schmigadoon!, will inhabit the role of Geneviève, a baker’s wife whose arrival in a quiet French village sets tongues wagging and hearts stirring. The musical, with a book by Joseph Stein and a score by Schwartz, is based on the French film La Femme du Boulanger and is renowned for its lush melodies and the show-stopping number “Meadowlark” .
The Baker’s Wife comes to New York as a full-scale production for the first time since its original 1976 run, which famously closed before opening on Broadway . Over the decades, the show has garnered a devoted following for its nuanced characters and heartfelt exploration of love, loyalty, and personal transformation. Directed by Gordon Greenberg, who recently helmed a revival at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, the CSC production promises to bring new depth and resonance to this overlooked gem .
Composer Stephen Schwartz praised DeBose’s casting, stating: “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. Plus, I've had the pleasure of hearing her sing 'Meadowlark,' so I know CSC audiences are in for a treat” .
DeBose, who has been open about her queer identity, is among the most visible LGBTQ+ performers working in musical theater today. Her casting in The Baker’s Wife is particularly meaningful for LGBTQ+ audiences, offering representation on stage and off. As she takes on a central role in a classic musical, DeBose’s presence affirms the importance of diverse identities in leading roles—a shift that resonates with both queer and allied theatergoers .
The Baker’s Wife explores themes of love, desire, and community upheaval through the lens of a seemingly idyllic French village. The arrival of a new baker and his wife, and the ensuing romantic entanglements, spark not just gossip but questions about fidelity, self-discovery, and the courage to pursue happiness .
Complete casting and creative team details will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets expected to go on sale soon . For now, the prospect of seeing Ariana DeBose lead The Baker’s Wife signals a new chapter for a beloved musical—and a milestone moment in the ongoing evolution of LGBTQ+ representation on the New York stage.
