The 'Beaches' musical just landed on Broadway and it's not making a splash

The Broadway premiere of 'Beaches: A New Musical' was supposed to be a nostalgic wave of 1980s sentiment and powerhouse ballads. Instead, it's crashing ashore with a thud. Critics agree the stage adaptation of the 1988 tearjerker, now playing at the Majestic Theatre, struggles to find its footing-despite a standout performance from Jessica Vosk in the role made famous by Bette Midler.

Vosk, known for her rich vocals and commanding stage presence, delivers the big moments with strength, especially during the show's emotional climax and the inevitable rendition of 'Wind Beneath My Wings.' But even her performance can't rescue a production that reviewers describe as soulless, schmaltzy, and dramatically inert. The story of Cee Cee Bloom, a brash aspiring performer, and Bertie White, her reserved, introspective best friend, spans decades and emotional extremes-but on stage, the journey feels rushed and underdeveloped.

The film, directed by Garry Marshall, was never subtle. It leaned into melodrama with a wink, letting friendship, heartbreak, and showbiz glamour collide. But the musical doesn't earn its emotional beats. Critics from Variety and Deadline both noted that the adaptation feels uninspired, relying too much on the audience's memory of the original rather than building its own theatrical identity. The book, by Thom Thomas and Iris Rainer Dart, hasn't evolved much from earlier workshop versions, and the new score, while serviceable, doesn't add much beyond the one iconic hit.

At the New York Post, the review was especially blunt, comparing the characters to 'sandy shells'-present, but lifeless. The production's design, meant to evoke shifting coastlines and changing eras, comes off as clunky rather than evocative. Even the friendship at the heart of the story, which should feel deep and lived-in, registers as more dutiful than authentic.

Still, there's an audience for shows that wear their hearts on their sleeves. 'Beaches' may find a niche among fans of the film or theatergoers seeking a sentimental night out. But as a piece of modern musical theater, it's falling short of the standards set by recent Broadway successes that balance emotion with craft.

The show arrives during a quieter stretch on Broadway, which might give it breathing room. But with word-of-mouth leaning negative and no major awards buzz, its long-term prospects look uncertain. For now, 'Beaches' feels less like a revival and more like a relic-one that hasn't quite washed up in the right era.