Hayley Podschun to Star in Off-Broadway Musical Freckleface Strawberry

Broadway vet Hayley Podschun will play the title role in the forthcoming off-Broadway musical Freckleface Strawberry. Adapted from the children’s books by actress Julianne Moore, the show will begin previews at New World Stages on September 9 and open on October 1, directed by Buddy Crutchfield.

Joining Podschun in the cast will be Jessica Bishop, Andrew Cristi, Linda Gabler, Kimiko Glenn, Joey Haro, Mykal Kilgore, Eric Nelsen and Morgan Smith.

Freckleface Strawberry is a 90-minute family musical featuring music and lyrics by Gary Kupper and a book by Kupper and Rose Caiola. The show chronicles the life of seven-year-old Strawberry, who is teased by her schoolmates for having bright red hair and freckles. She tries anything to get rid of them, from scrubbing them with soap to wearing a ski mask to school. Eventually Strawberry discovers that all people are different and learns to accept herself, freckles and all.

Podschun appeared in both the Broadway and movie versions of Hairspray and in the Broadway productions of Sunday in the Park with George and Pal Joey.

Freckleface Strawberry will feature choreography by Gail Pennington Crutchfield, set design by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Fabio Toblini and Holly Cain, lighting design by Jason Kantrowitz and sound design by Peter Fitzgerald & Chris Cronin. MMAC Productions is producing the show.