“Leader of the Pack” relates the story of songwriter Ellie Greenwich through her songs

“Chapel of Love,” “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Be My Baby,” “Da Doo Ron Ron.” If hearing these song titles brings back memories of your youth, then head on over to the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. All these songs, and a whole lot more, were the creations of Ellie Greenwich from the late ’50s to the early ’70s, and now they’re being used to tell Greenwich’s story in the jukebox musical Leader of the Pack.

The book, credited to Anne Beatts as “liner notes” with additional material by Jack Heifner, is a sanitized, serviceable retelling of Ellie Greenwich’s life and career. Teenaged Ellie (Kyra Kennedy) is writing songs for her group, the Jivettes, trying to impress Gus Sharkey (Danny Rutigliano) — an invented character representing the many producers involved in Ellie’s career — into taking her on as a songwriter. Sharkey suggests she get together with another neophyte, Jeff Barry (Michael Evan Williams) to create songs for such artists as Darlene Love (Galyana Castillo) and Annie Golden (Giuliana Augello). Working almost nonstop, Barry and Greenwich churn out song after song. The hours of intense collaboration lead to love, and the songwriting team are married. 

Ellie focuses on the couple’s songwriting while Jeff feels constricted by the grind — and wants to start a family. Seeking creative freedom, Jeff decamps to Los Angeles, putting further strain on the couple’s relationship. Ellie writes a song and promises it to her best friend Darlene, only to have Gus turn “River Deep, Mountain High” over to Tina Turner, leading to a rift between the friends.

Aside from the songs already mentioned, Leader of the Pack includes such hits as “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home,” “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “And Then He Kissed Me,” “Hanky Panky,” “Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts?,” and the title tune “Leader of the Pack.” All of these songs are performed with high energy and style by the entire cast under director-choreographer Shea Sullivan, who works with the deepest love and respect for the characters, their stories, and their times.

Ellie Greenwich was one of those rare songwriters whose work not only fit the tempo and mood of her time but also resonates with listeners today. They were songs of an earlier, more innocent time that touched on romantic themes with infectious lyricism and driving rhythms, feel-good music that has stood the test of time.

While not what I would consider the best of the jukebox musicals, for a good theatre experience on a warm summer’s night, you can’t go wrong with making the trip to New Hope’s Bucks County Playhouse to see Leader of the Pack.

Leader of the Pack is presented by the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania through July 20, 2025. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to bcptheater.org.