Shawna Hamic

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, written by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx with music by Tim Gilvin, tells the “true” story of Ursula, starting from her childhood and ending with what happens after The Little Mermaid (both 1989 and 2023).

BroadwayWorld sat down with Shawna Hamic, who is taking on the role of Ursula in Unfortunate. We discussed what made her want to be a part of the show, what she hopes audiences take away from Unfortunate and who is her favourite Disney villain! 

Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black, 1776 on Broadway) will lead the cast of the critically-acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Birmingham Hippodrome from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 April 2024 opposite Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star River Medway as Ariel.

Prepare to party like it’s 1776 with a witty retelling of our founding fathers' stories and how our great nation came to be! This production was developed and premiered by the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University before playing on Broadway with Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre.

1776 is now being given a triumphantly moving and vigorous radically deconstructed interpretation at the Kennedy Center. There are many fans already who are firm believers in the message of this uniquely conceived musical but this production will lead them even further into intellectual and sensory depth.

The national tour of 1776 makes its premiere in Seattle at The 5th Avenue Theatre August 2-6, 2023. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at The 5th Avenue Theatre’s website, over the phone, or by visiting the box office.

Imagine walking into Jackson Hall on opening night, as I did, thinking, “Why did the directors reimagine this pleasant, if somewhat plodding, old-school musical with an ensemble of multi-ethnic women, trans and non-binary actors cast in the roles of America’s founding fathers?” Then leaving the theater after the final curtain wondering, “why on earth would anyone ever feel the need to cast the roles with men?” and reveling in the fact that 1776 tapped into my heart in unexpected ways, eliciting an emotional and, I daresay, patriotic response.

What did our critic think of 1776 MUSICAL SHINES A LIGHT ON THE PRESENT at Broadway San Jose?

What did our critic think of 1776 at Ahmanson Theatre? In contemporary theater - as in life - optics matter. A lot. Given current trends in theatrical programing, the musical 1776 would probably never get staged. Granted, Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's 1969 take on the sturm and drang surrounding the Second Continental Congress's decision to form a new nation may be a patriotic Tony Award-winner.

American Repertory Theater/Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “1776” kicked off its limited engagement in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre this week! See photos from opening night!

The Center Theatre Group presents the Los Angeles premiere of the Tony Award-winning 1776 opening April 12, 2023 at the Ahmanson (with a preview April 11th). Diane Paulus and Jeffrey L. Page co-direct the cast of 27.

What did our critic think of 1776 at DCPA?

Individual tickets for the Texas premiere of the limited Broadway revival tour of 1776 at Theatre Under The Stars are now on sale.

The national tour of “1776” will make limited engagement stops at major cities across North America including its premiere in Los Angeles at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre April 11 through May 7, 2023 with an opening night scheduled for April 12, 2023.

American Repertory Theater/Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, 1776, will make its only San Francisco Bay Area stop at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts.

1776 officially opened on February 16, 2023, at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, PA, and will make limited engagement stops at major cities across North America. Read the reviews for 1776 on tour here!

1776 is a perfect example of a modern adaptation done right. Virtually everyone growing up in the United States learns the story of our country's birth: The founding fathers, the struggle for independence from Britain, and the scourge of slavery that was shamefully part of our fledgling nation. 1776 gives us a deep dive into this history, complete with nuanced political debates and glimpses into the personal lives of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

Get a first look at opening night red carpet photos of the new national tour of 1776!

Get a first look at production photos of the national tour of 1776!

The National Tour cast has been announced for American Repertory Theater/Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of 1776. See who is starring in the production, tour dates, and how to purchase tickets!