Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the complete cast and creative team for the world-premiere jukebox musical My Very Own British Invasion, which captures London’s exploding music scene in the 1960s. Based on the experiences of singer-songwriter Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, the musical’s score is culled from chart-topping hits from British bands of the era.
Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray), the show has a book by Tony-winning Jersey Boys and The Cher Show scribe Rick Elice.
Performances begin January 31, 2019, for a run through March 3.
Newcomer Jonny Amies is cast as as Peter, with Bryan Fenkart (Waitress) as John, Erika Olson (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Pamela, Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots) as Gino, Conor Ryan (Desperate Measures) as Trip, John Sanders (Groundhog Day) as Fallon, and Daniel Stewart Sherman (Kinky Boots) as The Hammer.
The cast is completed by Travis Artz, Gemma Baird, John Campione, Emma Degerstedt, Trista Dollison, Jay Donnell, Graham Scott Fleming, Douglas Goodhart, Cory Jeacoma, Sage Melcher, Jen Perry, and Daniel Yearwood.
"I was 16 when I walked into the Bag O’ Nails in London for the first time," Noone said in a statement. "I had the number one record in England ('I’m Into Something Good') and John Lennon got me a drink as I sat and watched the hoi polloi of what is now known as the British Invasion—Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Twiggy, Richard Harris, Marianne Faithfull, Mick Jagger, Mary Quant, and many more. Somehow the music had connected us all! Each person had a song that went with their character and I knew this musical story was meant to be put on a stage.”
The show has scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Andrew Keister, projection design by Andrew Lazarow, and hair and wig design by Josh Marquette. Casting is by Telsey + Company, Patrick Goodwin, CSA. UK Casting by Jill Green Casting.
Hal Luftig, Craig Haffner, and Rodney Rigby produce the premiere engagement in association with Paper Mill.
