Cast features Broadway’s brightest new stars with Author Rex Pickett as Master of Ceremonies in limited live-concert engagement, September 11 – 12 in Sonoma Wine Country
SONOMA, CA (August 4, 2021) – A Concert of Songs from Rex Pickett’s Sideways: The Musical will debut at Buena Vista Winery, California’s first premium winery – founded in 1857, as a limited live-concert engagement, September 11-12 exclusively for American Express Card Members. Author Rex Pickett’s world-renowned novel Sideways famously rocked the world of wine forever with its Academy Award-winning feature film adaptation. This summer, his hilarious, new musical will come to life on the stage with Broadway’s brightest new stars. This Concert of Songs is something truly original: a teaser premiere of the full stage production. Sideways: The Musical is composed by Anthony Leigh Adams and produced by John Campbell and Rex Pickett. The sweeping live experiences of comedy, heartbreak, and romance are sponsored by American Express, WineDirect, and The Hitching Post. Pre-reception food and wine events and exclusive wine tasting experiences will be hosted by Buena Vista Winery of the Boisset Collection. Rex Pickett will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
This Concert of Songs will debut 10 out of 18 never-performed-before songs from Rex Pickett’s Sideways: The Musical, including titles “The Life of Wine”, “Drink a Memory”, “You’re Not The One”, and “No Matter How Low We Go.” The cast stars Devin Archer (Miss Saigon), Audrey Cardwell (Falsettos; Bright Star), Nicholas Edwards (Frozen; Last 5 Years) and Emily Goglia (Grease, Live!; STAGES).
While Payne’s movie version focused on the buddy-buddy comedy of characters Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden-Church), Pickett’s musical raises the emotional stakes of their road-trip through California’s wine country. “The two female lead roles have been greatly expanded and the result is a more lushly romantic piece without sacrificing the bawdy comedy of the original movie that fans know so well,” said Pickett.
“Just before Broadway shut down in March 2020, I asked John Campbell to be my lead producer,” said Rex Pickett. Pickett finished writing all the songs with Adams in the following months as the Covid pandemic spread, and shared, “while restrictions started to lift this year, theaters still aren’t fully open yet. And John hatched a brilliant pivot: that we would still be able to curate a live musical experience, celebrating the overflowing themes of wine and good times in a safe, open air setting. A Concert of Songs from the musical was born and wine country, the perfect backdrop.” Campbell brought Tony Award nominated Jacob Langfelder (Sea Wall/ A Life starring Jake Gyllenhaal) to Executive Produce the concerts.
“We are thrilled to host Sideways: the Musical at Buena Vista Winery … Buena Vista has long held a significant role in uniting culture and wine in a grand setting at the foot of the first wine caves, and the first stone winery of California. Bringing musical theater alive with the brilliant talents of Rex Pickett and John Campbell is a dream for the wine world,” said Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Buena Vista Winery.
Tickets for these American Express Card Member Performances are on sale now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/c/488951069EFB5A3722C81C9717F5DCD1/sideways-the-musical-concert until sold out. Tickets start at $50 and exclusive packages and VIP experiences are available. Terms and fees may apply.
All performance and event productions will follow the public health authorities and CDC guidelines. To learn more about health and safety regulations please visit
https://buenavistawinery.com/together-again/ .
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About Sideways: The Musical
More than two decades later, Sideways: The Musical is Rex Pickett’s adaptation of his 1999 novel, which gained worldwide recognition with Alexander Payne’s 2004 feature film adaptation that won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Pickett evolved the story into Sideways: The Play, which became La Jolla Playhouse’s longest running play with record breaking attendance records. Pickett finished writing the book and lyrics for Sideways: The Musical in 2020 with composer Anthony Leigh Adams. It is Produced by John Campbell and author Rex Pickett. A premiere for the musical is delayed by the global pandemic and debuts as a concert series in Sonoma County in 2021. For more information and updates, visit www.sideways-themusical.com.
About Buena Vista Winery
Buena Vista Winery is California’s first premium winery; it was founded in 1857 by Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista.” Possessing a deep regard for the significance of Buena Vista’s place in California wine history, Jean-Charles Boisset purchased Buena Vista in April 2011 and added the winery to the Boisset Collection. Today, Boisset has returned Buena Vista Winery to its original glory with the complete restoration and re-opening of the historic property. Buena Vista Winery is located at 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, CA. For more information, please visit www.buenavistawinery.com.
