La Jolla Playhouse Revives 80s Nostalgia with Cyndi Lauper-Powered "Working Girl" Musical

La Jolla Playhouse launched a Mike Nichols adaptation of the 1988 film "Working Girl" with a production featuring retro-sounding Cyndi Lauper songs. The musical, directed by Rachel Chavkin, opened on November 15, 2025, at the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre in La Jolla, California. The production stars a cast of 14, including a female lead, and features a book by June Gable and a score that blends original songs with Lauper's hits from the 1980s. The musical is an adaptation of the 1988 film of the same name, which starred Melanie Griffith as Tess McGill, a secretary from Staten Island with big hair and even bigger dreams. In the film, Tess navigates a male-dominated corporate world, where she faces sexism and sabotage from her male superiors. The musical retains the film's themes of female empowerment and the challenges faced by women in the workplace, but adds new songs and characters to the story. According to Rachel Chavkin, the director, the musical is a celebration of 1980s nostalgia, with a score that pays homage to the era's music. "We wanted to capture the spirit of the 1980s, with its big hair, big phones, and big dreams," Chavkin said in an interview. "Cyndi Lauper's music is a big part of that, and we're thrilled to be able to bring her songs to the stage." The production features a range of original songs, as well as Lauper's hits like "Time After Time" and "True Colors." The musical's book, written by June Gable, adds new characters and plotlines to the story, while retaining the core themes of the film. "We wanted to stay true to the spirit of the film, while also adding our own twist and perspective," Gable said. The La Jolla Playhouse production of "Working Girl" is a collaboration between the Playhouse and the film's original director, Mike Nichols. Nichols, who passed away in 2014, was a renowned director and producer who was known for his work on films like "The Graduate" and "Catch-22." The production is a tribute to Nichols' legacy and a celebration of his work. The musical is scheduled to run at the La Jolla Playhouse through December 15, 2025. Tickets are available online or at the Playhouse box office. The production is a must-see for fans of the original film, as well as anyone interested in 1980s nostalgia and female empowerment. In related news, the La Jolla Playhouse has announced plans to produce a new musical adaptation of the 1980s film "Flashdance." The production, directed by Chavkin, is set to open in the spring of 2026 and will feature a score by Lauper and a book by Gable. The musical will retain the film's themes of female empowerment and the challenges faced by women in the workplace, but will add new songs and characters to the story.