From the height of fame to collapse then reinvention, Tenderly is an introspective jukebox musical like no other.
We sat with director Jodie Weiss to explore the unique storytelling of the show and the remarkable talent required to portray Clooney and the many figures in her life.
The musical showcases timeless classics that may surprise you to find that Clooney originated. Read about why this intimate production promises to leave audiences smiling long after the final note.
Q: Tell us about the story of Tenderly.
Weiss: In a nutshell, it is a nostalgically charming production of the story of Rosemary Clooney’s life. It’s actually told through the device of her in her therapist’s office and kind of going back in time through flashbacks and some flash forwards. It tells just her perseverance, some of the very intense things she went through in her life. And it’s all surrounded by her lovely caché of songs, of music that she sang.
Q: Can you describe the world we’ll see, the set and time period?
Weiss: The set is designed by the amazing Douglas Clarke. It’s in the Hardes Theater, so it’s a small, intimate space, and it’s a mid-century feel. Very clean lines, kind of sparse because this show has to transform into about 30 different places. At the center of it is that doctor’s office, her psychiatrist’s office, where the entire thing is based. The band is on stage, which I love, and we’re going to use them a bit. And everything else turns into different locations.
Q: Can you please describe the main characters in the show?
Weiss: The main characters in the show are Rosemary Clooney and the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist plays about 12 different roles. He’s primarily the psychiatrist. But whenever Rosemary is telling him a story or reminiscing or describing something, the doctor becomes that person whether it’s Rosemary’s mother or her sister or Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby or Jose Ferrer and a myriad of others. It’s quite a tour de force for the person playing the doctor, because they get to really play a gazillion different characters, and it’s a tour de force for the person, the actor playing Rosemary Clooney, because it’s Rosemary Clooney.
Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge for directing this?
Weiss: I think the biggest challenge is casting, and I have cast beautifully. It’s finding those actors who can handle all of these quick transitions and quick characterizations, and who can adapt going from a song and then writing to another therapy session. The two actors and the understudies are just amazing actors. I’m very excited to work with them.
Q: What excites you specifically about this show?
Weiss: I love [Rosemary’s] music. I was raised on old musicals, and I used to watch them with my mom. I know a lot of her music, and it excites me to bring that nostalgic charm to the stage, because I know I’m not the only one who enjoys her movies and her music.
I think as well, what excites me is working with these actors and finding all of those nuances, especially with the challenge of having a very bare stage and having to create all of these different places and people within seconds of each other. It’s going to be quite a workout mentally and physically. I think it’s just going to be wonderful, and I’m excited to see what they create.
Q: With all the music in the show, will people be surprised by how many songs they know that Rosemary originally sang?
Weiss: It’s true, because many of her songs live on now in the background of a commercial, or you’ll hear it in a movie. Even nowadays, because of how iconic so many of her songs were and people have done remakes of them, they’ll go, “Oh wait, I recognize that!” Even if they weren’t Rosemary Clooney fans to begin with, they will recognize many of these songs.
Q: What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
Weiss: I hope they take away her ability to overcome [difficult] things and then reinvent herself into something else, because that’s so inspiring. And I think everybody could use that right now. A little bit of inspiration. And I think we could all use a little bit of strength right now, a little bit of nostalgia and entertainment, a good time, and a good smile.
Event Details
What: Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical
When: March 4 – May 3, 2026
Where: The Phoenix Theatre Company, Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tickets: Available at www.phoenixtheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (602) 254-2151
Click here to watch the full recording of the Director’s Download.
Click here for a PDF of the full article.
*Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.
