Galileo will be the next Broadway production to play the Shubert Theatre, bringing the new musical’s story of discovery, power and betrayal to the stage following its development and world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza will star as Galileo Galilei, with Grammy Award winner Michael Park alternating in the title role at certain performances. Park’s listed credits include Dear Evan Hansen and “Stranger Things.”
The production features a book by Danny Strong and an original score from Zoe Sarnak and Michael Weiner. Michael Mayer will direct, while Tony Award nominee David Neumann will choreograph.
A Battle Between Discovery and Power
The musical follows Galileo as his observations of the heavens challenge humanity’s understanding of the world. Refusing to disavow what he has seen, the celebrated thinker is drawn into a confrontation with an institution described as the most powerful on Earth.
That struggle is also deeply personal. Jeremy Kushnier plays Maffeo Barberini, Galileo’s trusted confidant, whose rise to power eventually turns friendship toward betrayal. Tony and Grammy Award nominee Joy Woods portrays Virginia Galilei, Galileo’s brilliant daughter.
As Galileo’s position becomes increasingly precarious, the future he imagined for himself and Virginia begins to fall away. The story places Galileo, Maffeo and Virginia at the center of competing pressures involving belief, ambition and love, with each facing a decision over what can be sacrificed for the things that matter most.
Alongside Esparza, Kushnier and Woods, the announced cast includes Bradley Dean, Jordon Lee Garcia and Javier Muñoz.
Also appearing are Gabrielle Elisabeth, Adam Halpin, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Rico LeBron, Michael J. Mainwaring, Terica Marie, Rob Marnell, Alexander Mendoza, Ramone Nelson, Matty Palmer, Chase Peacock, David Rowen, Madeleine Spacapan and Erica Sweany.
The production’s swings are Nicci Claspell, Ninako Donville, Cameron Johnson, Michał Kołaczkowski and Noah Plomgren.
The Creative Team Behind the Broadway Production
Brian Usifer will handle music supervision and orchestrations. The physical production brings together Rachel Hauck on set design, Susan Hilferty on costume design and Kevin Adams on lighting design.
John Shivers is responsible for sound design, with Ethan Tobman overseeing video and projection design. Satellite Wigs will provide hair and wig design.
Casting is by Jim Carnahan, CSA, and Jason Thinger, CSA. Aurora Productions serves as production manager, while ShowTown Theatricals is the general manager.
The Shubert engagement gives Galileo its Broadway platform after the musical’s earlier development and premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The production’s Broadway run will retain its central focus on the consequences of Galileo’s discoveries and the emotional rupture among Galileo, Maffeo and Virginia.
ShowBiz Take
Galileo arrives on Broadway with a clear dramatic engine: a scientific revelation becomes a crisis of loyalty, authority and family. Rather than framing the title character’s struggle only through his discoveries, the musical places his relationship with Maffeo and his hopes for Virginia at the heart of the conflict.
The casting also creates a notable performance structure. Esparza leads the production as Galileo, while Park is confirmed to take over the role at selected performances. Combined with the musical’s Berkeley Repertory Theatre development and its move to the Shubert, that arrangement gives Broadway audiences more than one interpretation of the central figure as Galileo takes its next step.