When “Mystic Pizza: A New Musical” rolls into St. Paul’s Ordway, playing October 6 through 11, it brings along a neon-soaked, chart-topping wave of pure nostalgia. Ahead of opening night, I caught up with powerhouse performer Teisha Thomas, who steps into the apron and maternal heart of Leona Silvia, the legendary pizza shop proprietor who holds their whole world together.
From a tour stop in Binghamton, New York, Thomas was warm, radiant, and delightfully game for an adventure. Between swapping memories of beloved eighties movie nights, we mapped out her essential Twin Cities itinerary. We talked Mall of America excursions, promised her a special backstage delivery of local Cheesecake Funk, and strongly endorsed a late-night post-show pilgrimage to Pizza Lucé for an iconic local slice. We talked sisterhood, Rockette-caliber footwork, and conquering self-doubt from center stage.
Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, courtesy of Ordway.
Jerrod Sumner (JS): Before joining this production, how familiar were you with the film that inspired the musical? What was your first reaction to the script and the way it handles the material?
Teisha Thomas (TT): Honestly, I wasn’t that familiar. I knew of “Mystic Pizza,” and I certainly knew it helped launch Julia Roberts. But did I ever sit down and watch the movie all the way through before this opportunity came along? No, I hadn’t! What struck me immediately is how brilliant it is to take all those massive eighties radio hits and weave them into this story. Taking a beloved classic and pairing it with that catalog turns the entire evening into pure, joyful theater. I love feel-good musicals, and this one delivers that in spades.
JS: Are you an eighties fan yourself?
TT: I was born in another decade, so I won’t give away my exact age, but I truly love the eighties and nineties. The songs and movies from that era had so much heart; they hit you right in the soul. Films like Sixteen Candles and especially Teen Witch, which is one of my all-time favorites, just had this bright, vibrant style. Everything felt colorful and fun. Stepping into that world every night is such a blast.
JS: Why do you think this story has endured for nearly four decades and continues to connect so deeply with audiences?
TT: At its core, it is a coming-of-age story, and everyone recognizes that pivotal crossroads in life. You reach a point where you have to make massive, life-altering choices. Do you stay in your hometown, or do you take a leap to explore the wider world? Do you commit to the person you love right now, or do you carve out your own independence and pursue your education first? Those questions are universal, especially for young women. Fighting for your dreams, navigating family dynamics, and standing up for your personal truth never go out of style. That honest struggle is why people still hold onto this story.
JS: Every show has one standout moment. What is your singular electrifying scene in the production, the one you cannot wait for the audience to experience each night?
TT: I absolutely love “The Power of Love.” The dancing, the choreography, the sheer electricity, and the acting in that number make it one of my absolute favorites. Personally, I also love performing my own featured moment on “All I Need Is a Miracle.” Our director and choreographer, Jennifer Werner, is a visionary. She brought all of her Rockette precision and athleticism into the movement while taking incredible care of us in the rehearsal room. Audiences are going to be blown away by the energy on that stage.
Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, courtesy of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
JS: How do you enjoy life on the road and taking in America from center stage?
TT: I love it. Traveling and exploring new cities is deeply rewarding. Coming from New York City, I am used to being surrounded by incredible food, diverse cultures, and vibrant street life. On tour, I love arriving at a new venue, meeting the locals, learning the history and quirky backstage rituals of each theater, and tasting the local food. Theater is inherently collaborative; we cannot do any of this alone. Connecting with new communities reminds me that we really are all in this together.
JS: What advice do you have for the aspiring performers sitting in the auditorium watching you, dreaming of standing where you are?
TT: Never give up. The only way you fail to achieve your dreams is if you stop showing up. I speak directly from personal experience because I used to let fear talk me out of auditions. I would convince myself that I didn’t have the right song or wasn’t prepared enough. Don’t let that doubtful voice win. Give that negative inner critic a name you dislike, and whenever it creeps in, tell it flat out to leave you alone. Fear is not who you are. The only person standing in your way is you. It is astonishing how the universe rallies to support you once you take that first brave step to help yourself. Whatever passion was placed inside your heart, it was put there for a reason. Go make it happen.
JS: Minnesota Monthly celebrates the creative, generous spirit of our community. What does the spirit of Minnesota mean to you, and what are you most eager to experience during your run?
TT: Everything I have heard tells me Minnesota audiences know how to have a genuinely wonderful time. I like to think I bring that exact same fun energy to the table. I gravitate toward warm, positive people, and this production sends you walking out of the lobby feeling uplifted. Bringing that kind of collective joy to a theater is an absolute honor.
