Right back where she started from! Rachel Bilson reunited with her former costars Melinda Clarke (Julie Cooper), Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen), and more when they attended The Unauthorized O.C. Musical in L.A. on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Bilson, 34, played Summer Roberts in the beloved Fox show from 2003 to 2007. The fan favorite series — whose killer music soundtrack inspired the new production, a loving parody — also starred Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan Atwood), Mischa Barton (Marissa Cooper), and Adam Brody (Seth Cohen), whom she romanced both on and off set.
The actress was joined in the audience by Clarke, Rowan, the teen drama’s co-executive producers Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, and McG, and Michael Cassidy, who played Zach. Former costar Autumn Reeser actually performed in the show and played Julie on stage, rather than reprising her role as perky Taylor Townsend.
The Unauthorized O.C. Musical cast also included Awkward’s Greer Grammer as Summer, Tilky Jones (Ryan), Brendan Robinson (Seth), Molly McCook (Marissa), Step By Step actress Christine Lakin (Kirsten Cohen), Neil Hopkins (Sandy Cohen), and Drew Seeley (Luke/Trey). (Grammer shared an Instagram pic of the main cast on Aug. 18.)
A source tells Us Weekly that the one-night-only performance included dialogue from some of the show’s most memorable episodes. They began with an ensemble performance to the show’s theme song “California” by Phantom Planet, and, throughout the play, often broke out into songs. Other tracks included show favorites such Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah,” Jem’s cover of “Maybe I’m Amazed,” The Killers’ “Smile Like You Mean It,” and Super Furry Animals’ “Hello Sunshine.”
Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without a recreation of one of the show’s most dramatic episodes ever: When Marissa shot Ryan’s brother, Trey, in Season 2. (Cue Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek”!)
After the last curtain call, the cast partied at Wood & Vine, the source tells Us. Clarke appeared to be the only O.C. star to drop by.
