World Premiere of Last of the Red Hot Mamas at Bucks County Playhouse

NEW HOPE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The world premiere of the musical “Last of the Red Hot Mamas” is currently taking place at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope.

It’s about the sassy, ​​mischievous, glass ceiling-breaking vaudeville performer Sophie Tucker.

“It’s so amazing to be able to play her in 2024 and bring her story to life,” said Ryann Redmond, who plays Sophie Tucker.

Tucker was a pioneer, performer and international star of the vaudeville genre.

“She’s just such a huge personality,” Redmond says. “She has so much verve and she’s so powerful and amazing.”

Harrison David Rivers is one of the co-writers of this brand new, original musical, along with Susan and Lloyd Ecker.

“This musical is about Sophie’s early years, her discovery at the family restaurant in Hartford and her move to New York City,” Rivers says. “We see the friends she makes along the way, the enemies she makes along the way and her debut on stage.”

The show is a true Broadway blockbuster.

“It’s really fun, it’s funny, it’s fast,” Rivers says. “The tapping is incredible and the voice acting is great.”

This is the world premiere of the show.

“Musicals take a long time to get to the stage,” Rivers says. “I think the average time for a play to get to the stage is seven years, and musicals take 10 years or more. I think the Bucks County Playhouse has given us a great gift by getting the show before most people do.”

To many listeners, Sophie Tucker is a familiar name.

For others, this passion project is a bit of a history lesson.

“For those who don’t know her, I think you’ll fall in love with her immediately,” Rivers says, “because she’s an incredible human being, full of energy and positivity, and she has a huge voice.”

“Last of the Red Hot Mamas” is currently on stage at the Buck County Playhouse.

Showings have been added and the film is now showing through July 28.

Click here for details.