Syracuse Stage
announced an exciting new cast and creative team for “The Hello Girls,” with music and lyrics by Peter Mills and book by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel. Featuring fresh orchestrations, new staging and reworked material, this new production of “The Hello Girls” is directed by co-writer Reichel with musical staging by Christine O’Grady, music direction by Alexandra Crosby and music supervision by Ben Moss. It will run Sept. 9 to 28 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.
“The Hello Girls” tells the inspiring true story of the first women soldiers to join the U.S. Army, serving as bilingual telephone operators in France during WWI. Originally commissioned by Prospect Musicals in New York City, “The Hello Girls” premiered off-Broadway in 2018 to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the groundbreaking journey taken by the real-life women, from the frontlines to their decades-long fight to be recognized as veterans back home.
Since then, writers Mills and Reichel have continued the play’s development through workshops and a concert version of the show at the Kennedy Center in 2024. Syracuse Stage’s upcoming presentation represents the most ambitious version yet, with new musical and visual storytelling designed to bring deeper resonance to today’s audiences.
“We are honored to have this opportunity to revisit the show and rediscover the urgency of the Hello Girls’ voices through a new production,” says Reichel. “Their fight for equality and recognition feels more resonant than ever, and we’re excited to bring a bold, contemporary lens to their remarkable journey.”
With an incredible jazz and ragtime flavored score, Syracuse Stage’s new production of “The Hello Girls” is co-produced with Michael Cassel Group, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals and Chief Operator LLC.
The cast includes Chessa Metz* (Broadway: “Suffs”), Storm Lever* (Broadway: “Six”), Alex Humphreys* (Broadway: “Dear Evan Hansen”), Jamila Sabares-Klemm* (Broadway: “Merrily We Roll Along”), Sophia Anna O’Brien, Sam Simahk* (Broadway: “Into the Woods”), Christopher Carl* (Broadway: “Mamma Mia!”), Aidan Cole*, Andrew Mayer* (Broadway: “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”), Emily Mesa, Nadia Stiell, Dan Teixeira*, Teddy Trice* (Broadway: “The Book of Mormon”) and Kat Wolf*.
The production team includes Milagros Ponce de León (scenic designer), Jen Caprio (costume designer), Dawn Chiang (lighting designer), Jessica Paz (sound designer), Caite Hevner (projection designer), Becky Fleming* (production stage manager) and Kyra Button* (stage manager).
Tickets for “The Hello Girls” are on sale now. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. A special performance of “The Hello Girls” for veterans, active military members and their families will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, immediately following a reception to honor their incredible sacrifice in the line of duty. Tickets for this preview performance are free of charge, but must be reserved in advance by calling 315-443-3275.
Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at SyracuseStage.org, by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
