Just in time for Pride, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is putting trans stories center stage with the World Premiere of Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean: A New Musical, performing June 18–July 13 in Mountain View.
Based on Ed Graczyk’s cult classic film and play of the same name originally starring Cher, Kathy Bates, Sandy Dennis, and Karen Black, this electrifying new musical follows the 20-year reunion of a James Dean fan club. As the spunky group of women reminisce about when Dean filmed Giant in nearby Marfa, Texas, they’re surprised by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. This story has long offered groundbreaking positive trans representation for stage and film since the stranger is Joanne, a friend who transitioned in the years they’ve been apart. Though initial reactions vary across the group, they welcome her, and all come to terms with secrets of their past.
Trans actor/activist Shakina (NBC’s Connecting, NBC’s Quantum Leap, Hulu’s Difficult People) writes the lyrics and stars as Joanne onstage at TheatreWorks. “I’m excited to be playing this iconic role created by the great Karen Black. Now I have the honor of bringing Joanne to life authentically as a trans actor.”
As trans rights and freedoms are in jeopardy, revisiting this story feels timely and necessary. “We need more stories that show folks, especially those who think they’ve never met a trans person, just how easy it can be to open their hearts to us,” Shakina told the San Francisco Bay Times. “I also think our musical upholds a kind of sisterhood we need to manifest in today’s world, one that reaches across differences to support economic solidarity and bodily autonomy for all women and gender transgressive folks.”
Trans male actor Ellie Van Amerongen plays a younger version of Shakina’s character Joanne. Shakina pushed for casting a trans male actor as Joe. “What we’re doing here is actually pretty radical in terms of trans storytelling,” Shakina said. “We are ensuring that the character, who is one person between us over time, is always embodied by a person of trans experience. To me, it preserves the integrity of Joanne’s identity as something essential, deeply connecting the two actors that play her.”
Shakina and Van Amerongen are joined onstage by Broadway actors Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill) and Stephanie Gibson (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as well as talented Bay Area actors Ashley Cowl, Judith Miller, and Hayley Lovgren.
Shakina teams up with playwright/actor Ashley Robinson (Brokeback Mountain), who wrote the book, and composer/frontman of the band The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Brokeback Mountain), who wrote the music. Robinson loved the movie as a boy in rural South Carolina, then revisited it as an adult and realized its potential for a musical.
Though hailing from England, Sells has harbored a lifelong love of American country music queens like Dolly Parton, Patsy Klein, and Loretta Lynn. “The storytelling style of these women felt like the perfect inspiration for our characters,” Sells told the San Francisco Bay Times. TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli helms the new musical and Jacob Yates (Broadway’s Cabaret) serves as the music director.
While preparing for this World Premiere production, Robinson took a trip to Marfa, staying in the same room at El Paisano Hotel that James Dean did while filming Giant. He visited the still-standing ruins of the Reata ranch house on the Giant set referenced throughout Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, taking small pieces with him. “This visit allowed me to see ‘it,’” said Robinson. “I stood where James Dean would have been standing. The ghosts of Reata are definitely onstage with us and some of the actual pieces will be onstage with us at the theatre.”
The team have been working on Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean for more than 5 years, with TheatreWorks playing an active role in its development. Shakina performed in TheatreWorks’ 2023 New Works Festival and the show was a 2024 New Works Festival favorite. “TheatreWorks is truly making our dreams come true. This show feels home grown,” Shakina said. Robinson has also enjoyed working with TheatreWorks: “It’s such a wonderful company top to tail—it’s been a joy being here.”
Shakina feels this empowering story of sisterhood will transform and transport audiences. “This is heart-healing musical theatre. There is nothing like it, and only certain shows achieve it,” she said.
“I am so honored that TheatreWorks is partnering with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals to bring this wonderful new musical into the world,” said Sardelli. “It’s the perfect time to tell a story of found family, redemption, forgiveness, and love. I’m excited to offer a fun, meaningful experience in the theater that might restore your faith in what is possible.”
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean: A New Musical is presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in partnership with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals. This World Premiere musical performs June 18–July 13, 2025 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (500 Castro Street, Mountain View). Tickets available at https://theatreworks.org/
Arts & Entertainment
Published on June 12, 2025
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