They will resume performances at the West End's Arts Theatre July 7, prior to official openings on July 9 (for Naked Boys Singing) and July 10 (for Fucking Men). Both shows are currently booking to Aug. 30.
The cast of Wilmott's production of Fucking Men comprises Stewart Alexander, Stephen Billington, Scott Capurro, Matthew Clancy, Dan Ford, James Kristian, Timothy Lone, Shai Matheson, Patrick Poletti, Chris Polick and Adam Unze. It is being produced at the Arts by the King's Head Theatre, Skulllduggery Theatre Company, Jacki Barlia Florin and Patricia Greenwald.
The play, inspired by Schitzler's La Ronde, is described in press materials as a free-wheeling comedy of sexual manners, providing a portrait of ten men searching for love, sex and intimacy in modern day America. It looks at a succession of couples and strangers as they negotiate the before and after of lust, love and betrayal and the pursuit of sex.
DiPietro's other plays include Over the River and Through the Woods; he has also co-written I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change with Jimmy Roberts that became New York's longest-running musical revue, and is currently represented Off-Broadway by his musical version of The Toxic Avenger, co-written with Bon Jovi's David Bryan, that is now running at New World Stages. Another collaboration with Bryan, Memphis, will begin performances at Broadway's Shubert Theatre in September.
Naked Boys Singing, the long-running Off-Broadway musical revue that originally played the Actors' Playhouse in Greenwich Village and which is still playing performances at New World Stages, was previously produced in London at Madame JoJos, a Soho nightclub, in 2001. The new production, which began performances at the King's Head Theatre May 26 prior to an official opening May 29, features a cast that comprises Stephen Butler (whose credits include the natinal tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Mine at Leicester Haymarket), Duncan Leighton (professional debut), David Lucas (National Theatre productions of Singin' in the Rain, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Oklahoma!), Adam Mendlesohn (Rent at the Broadway Theatre in Catford, and Alfie at Barons Court Theatre), Matthew Russell-Jones (High School Musical at the Apollo Hammersmith), Nathan Taylor (Showstopper! The West End Musical at the King's Head and Leicester Square Theatre) and Joe Van Haeften (national tours of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Footloose). Musical direction is provided by Elliot Davis, with choreography by Andrew Wright. Director Willmott has shaped a new production specifically for London audiences. In a press statement, he commented, "This isn't a tacky strip show; it's a sexy and often sophisticated piece of musical theatre. I'm looking forward to unleashing its potential in the West End." Willmott, who is artistic director of the Steam Industry, has recently been appointed Resident Associate Director of the King's Head. The production transfers to the West End under the auspices of both the King's Head and Steam Industry.
To book tickets, contact the box office at 0845 017 5584 or visit www.seetickets.com. Tickets are priced £17.50 for each production (£15 for concessions), or a combined ticket for both is £30 (£25 for concessions).
