Musical at Prima Theatre in Lancaster directed by Broadway's first Mexican-American director
Prima Theatre in Lancaster is about to debut its new musical.
This year, it's being led by Broadway's first Mexican-American director.
Galia Backal just finished directing "Six," the hit musical about Henry VIII's wives.
"This musical has, like, changed people's lives, and people want to see it and want to be a part of it so badly," she said.
Directing it changed Backal's life.
"If you had asked me a year ago or you told me, 'Oh, you're going to be working on a Broadway show,' I would have been, like, 'That's really funny and really cute.' Because the directing game for so long has honestly been a game of age. I feel like a lot of young directors haven't been given a lot of opportunities for a while," she said.
Backal is just 29.
She also said she loves the distinction of being the first Mexican-American Broadway director.
"Especially being a first generation Mexican-American because I didn't have anyone to look up to as a kid," she said.
Now actors in the Susquehanna Valley are looking up to her as she choreographs and directs "Into the Woods" at Prima.
Backal said that instead of being a spectator at a play, this is an immersive musical.
"It's going to be interactive. We're really inviting you into the woods," she said.
While "Six" is touring nationally, Backal is thrilled to bring her unique perspective to a regional theater.
"The way we're really bringing this musical to life in a way that I've never seen before and the way it's such a collaboration with Prima is such a gift, and I can't wait for audiences to see it," she said.
Tickets for "Into the Woods" are available at primatheatre.org. The show runs March 10-25.