Capital Repertory Theatre Closes 2025-26 Season with “Mystic Pizza,” Musical Based on Iconic ‘80s Movie

ALBANY (June 30) — Capital Repertory Theatre concludes its 2025-26 season with the regional premiere of “Mystic Pizza,” the new musical based on the beloved 1988 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. Performances run July 10 through Aug. 9 on the MainStage at theREP.

Set in the small seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, “Mystic Pizza” follows friends and co-workers Daisy, Kat, and JoJo as they navigate love, family expectations, and dreams for the future while working at the local pizza shop. As the three women discover who they are and what they want from life, they learn that friendship is the one constant they can always count on.

Featuring a score filled with iconic hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s, “Mystic Pizza” brings the beloved coming-of-age story to the stage with humor, heart, and nostalgia through pop hits by Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Gibson, Van Morrison, and more. The musical features a book by Sandy Rustin, arrangements and orchestrations by Carmel Dean, with story and characters by Amy Holden Jones.

At its heart, “Mystic Pizza” is a story about growing up and leaning on the people who know you best. Its themes of friendship, identity, and following your own path continue to resonate across generations — making it as meaningful today as when audiences first fell in love with the story nearly four decades ago.

In 2022, “Mystic Pizza” received developmental support from the Adirondack Theatre Festival under the leadership of Miriam Weisfeld, currently Producing Artistic Director of theREP. Weisfeld commented, “Capital Region audiences played a key role in the development of this new musical. It’s a thrill to bring the show ‘home’ in a fully produced, singing, dancing, dazzling experience at Capital Repertory Theatre.”

Leading the company are Rebekah Rae Robles (Daisy), 2023 Jimmy Award winner Lauren Marchand (Kat), and Carisa Gonzalez (JoJo), joined by Nick Druzbanski (Bill Montijo), Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda (Leona Silvia), Keaton Miller (Charles Gordon Windsor Jr.), Eric Richard Siegle (Tim Travers), Greg Laucella (Mr. Barboza and others), Marc Christopher (Priest and others), Laura Yen Solito (Mrs. Arujo and others), Shannon Rafferty (Aunt Bonnie/Polly), Dan Teixeira (Frankie and others), Emma Mineo (Debbie and others), Emily Begley (Lorna and others), Ethan Edward (George and others), Christian Ellwood (Ensemble), and Violet Way (Ensemble). The production features a mix of returning artists and performers making their debuts at theREP.

Returning to the MainStage are Shannon Rafferty, Ethan Edward, and Emma Mineo. Making their debuts at theREP are local performer Marc Christopher and the production’s dialect consultant and dance captain, Dan Teixeira. Joining them are theREP newcomers Carisa Gonzalez, Greg Laucella, Nick Druzbanski, Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda, Rebekah Rae Robles, Keaton Miller, Emily Begley, Laura Yen Solito, Christian Ellwood, and Violet Way, creating a company that blends fresh faces with familiar talent from Broadway, national tours, and regional theatres across the country.

Directed by Scott Weinstein, with choreography by Kasey Alfonso, music directed by Matthew Stern, scenic design by Jeffrey D. Kmiec, lighting design by Jennifer Fok, costume design by Howard Tsvi Kaplan, and sound design by Jeffrey Salerno. Yvonne Perry will be in attendance as intimacy coordinator. Kate Kern serves as production stage manager, with Michaela Savoie as assistant stage manager.

Previews for “Mystic Pizza” are Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12, with opening night Tuesday, July 14. Performances are scheduled through Sunday, Aug. 9. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at Proctors 12-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at (518) 346-6204, or visit attherep.org. The 2025-26 season at theREP is sponsored by Overit. Groups of 10 or more can call (518) 382-3884, ext. 139.

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Special nights:

Meet and Greet — 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12
A pre-show special event. with producing artistic director Miriam Weisfeld and WTEN’s Giuliana Bruno to discuss the 2026-27 season at theREP.

Opening Night — Tuesday, July 14
Includes complimentary pre-show champagne toast and pastries from Bella Napoli.

Chef’s Table — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21
Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by a local restaurant.

ASL Performance — 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25
This performance features sign language interpreters. To request access to the designated seating section, please call the Box Office at (518) 346-6204.

Thirsty Thursday — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30
Enjoy tasting samples from local cideries, breweries, or wineries.

Behind the Scenes — 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2
12:30 p.m., complimentary coffee and pastry before the pre-show discussion of “Mystic Pizza” hosted by Producing Artistic Director Miriam Weisfeld. This special conversation is free and open to the public.