A Bold New Entry in the Musical Comedy World
The minute you hear Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, and Halle Bailey in the same movie, you know the project isn’t just another run-of-the-mill indie. Jesse Eisenberg’s latest venture, a new A24 musical comedy, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about productions of the year. And with names like Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, rising star Havana Rose Liu, and increasing buzz in the casting headlines, you can’t help but get a little curious about what’s cooking behind the scenes.
At the heart of the story sits Moore’s character—a quiet, reserved woman who, maybe against every instinct she has, gets swept up in a local musical production. Surprisingly, her journey isn’t shaped by glitz and fame but by community, awkwardness, and a relentless director, brought to life by Giamatti, who’s never been one to shrink from unconventional or demanding roles. This isn’t just another feel-good theater flick. Eisenberg injects it with his signature offbeat wit and a deep dive into the intense, sometimes absurd world of community theater. If you’ve ever sat in on a community play rehearsal or watched personalities clash over solos and stage directions, you’ll know just how lively and chaotic things can get.
Halle Bailey, fresh from starring in Disney’s live-action “Little Mermaid,” joins a cast that feels both familiar and fresh, with Bernadette Peters lending heavy Broadway credibility. And Havana Rose Liu, recognizable from her turn in “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” rounds out a group meant to capture the unpredictability that small-town theater always promises.
A Musical Team That Means Business
What separates this film from every other musical comedy trying to make a splash? The behind-the-scenes powerhouses. Andy Blankenbuehler—the mastermind choreographer from “Hamilton”—is on board, ensuring the dance numbers won’t just be background filler. And for the score? Bill Sherman, best known for “In the Heights,” is serving as executive music producer. Expect original music that musicians will want to analyze as much as audiences will want to hum on their way out of the theater. The music supervisor, Steven Gizicki, who saw “La La Land” through award-winning success, is adding his touch. Eisenberg himself isn’t just writing and directing—he’s also collaborating on the score, showing just how personal the whole project is.
For those interested in the details, filming began in April 2025. The ensemble, which includes Colton Ryan, Maulik Pancholy, and Lilli Cooper, will tackle not just the usual showbiz ups and downs but brand new songs and high-pressure theater moments. Every actor is getting the chance to flex some musical muscle, with Eisenberg pushing for an experience that pulls from both stage and screen energy.
There’s still no official word on the release date, and the production is holding back info about just how and when audiences will see the end result. But the buzz points to a likely debut at prestigious film festivals like Telluride or TIFF, where quirky, heartfelt comedies and ambitious musical projects find the right crowd. Until then, all eyes are on this cast and creative team to see just how high community theater—and the movies about it—can aim.