AUDIO: First Listen- Alysha Umphress Sings 'The View From Up Here' from BEACHES

This spring, Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere musical Beaches, adapted from the beloved 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Directed by Signature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), this heartfelt chronicle of a decades-long friendship between two unforgettable women stars Mara Davi (Broadway's A Chorus Line and The Drowsy Chaperone) as Bertie White and Alysha Umphress (Broadway's American Idiot and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever) as Cee Cee Bloom. Click below for a first listen to the song "The View From Up Here", featuring Umphress!

Based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart (later adapted into the 1988 movie with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey) this newly adapted world premiere musical is by a creative team that includes Ms. Dart (book & lyrics) Thom Thomas (book) and David Austin (music).

Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow. Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie's oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood.