"Wind Beneath My Wings" was the breakout hit from the film version, which starred Bette Midler. Bean recorded the tune in her dressing room, posting this note on YouTube: "I have had the pleasure of singing this song every night as Cee Cee Bloom in Beaches the musical all summer long at the Drury Lane. So as our run draws to a close I figured it would be an appropriate finale!"
Watch her performance below:
The stage production, which co-stars Whitney Bashor, had its world premiere at Virginia's Signature Theatre in early 2014. That production featured Alysha Umphress and Mara Davi.
Eric Schaeffer (Signature's artistic director, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), who helmed the musical's world premiere, again directs the Broadway-bound production, which runs through Aug. 16 in Chicago. Previews began June 24.
Dates and a theatre for a Broadway production have not yet been announced, but the production is hoping to transfer.
The musical features a book by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by David Austin.
Bean portrays rising star Cee Cee Bloom, with Bashor as her lifelong friend, Bertie White. The roles were created on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey.
The cast also includes Travis Taylor as John Perr, Nancy Voigts as Leona Bloom, Kelly Anne Clark as Rose White, Jim DeSelm as Michael Barron, Michael Accardo as Nathan Bloom, Andrew Varela as Arthur, Samantha Pauly as Teen Cee Cee and Olivia Renteria as Teen Bertie. The cast is complete by William Carlos Angulo, Heather Brorsen, Josh Kohane, Christine Mild and Holly Strauder.
Beaches is choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with musical direction by Brian Nash. It has scenic design by Derek McLane, lighting design by Howell Binkley, costume design by Alejo Vietti and sound design by Kai Harada.
Here's how the musical is billed: "Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow. Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood."
For more information and tickets, call (630) 530-0111 or visit DruryLane.com.