Barbara Walsh, left, as Brenda, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Elyse and Karen Ziemba as Annie perform in the final number of the new musical “The First Wives Club” during a dress rehearsal at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. The musical runs from July 17 through Aug 23. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Brad Oscar and Barbara Walsh are husband and wife in musical. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Sara Chase bids in the auction scene of the new musical. Chase plays all three of the girlfriends to the wives’ philandering husbands. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times)
Karen Ziemba as Annie, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Elyse and Barbara Walsh as Brenda. Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler played the respective roles in the 1996 film version of “The First Wives Club.” (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Sara Chase emerges from a refrigerator during a scene in the musical. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Sara Chase in one of her multiple lover roles, with Brad Oscar. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times)
Karen Ziemba, left, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Barbara Walsh belt out a number. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Karen Ziemba, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Barbara Walsh toast their new club with ginger ale. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Karen Ziemba celebrates in “The First Wives Club.” (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Karen Ziemba Sheryl Lee Ralph and Barbara Walsh. This theatrical version of “First Wives Club” is updated from the mid-’90s to 2009. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
