Maiden Voyage, a new musical with a book and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Carmel Dean, will make its world premiere this summer at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

Directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson, previews will begin at the London venue July 19 prior to an official opening July 26 for a limited engagement through August 23. Casting will be announced at a later date.

The new musical tells the story of Tracy Edwards and the first all-women racing crew of Maiden, who made history competing in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1989-1990.

In a joint statement co-creators Dean and Dickstein said, “We wanted to write about women facing challenges head-on—Tracy's inspirational story ticked all the boxes for us. And we heard music at every turn. Courage sings. Pushing yourself to the limits of your abilities and beyond sings. The ocean sings. Tracy and her crew are the definition of doing the hard things even when no one thinks you can.”

Director Wilkinson (Allegiance at Charing Cross) added, “As a director who has worked in the musical theatre industry for over 35 years, it means a lot to me to tell the story of these strong amazing women who defied the critics and naysayers to achieve such phenomenal success in the challenges they faced.”

The upcoming production will also have orchestrations by Michael Starobin. The casting director is Harry Blumenau.

Dickstein’s theatre credits include Broadway's Little Women: The Musical, plus Saint Ex and the Little Prince, Witnesses, and Benny & Joon. Dean is an award-winning composer/lyricist and Broadway music supervisor, musical director, and arranger. As a composer, her theatre credits include Renascence, Well Behaved Women, and On Cedar Street.

Mark Cortale, Dale Franzen, Jonathan Murray, and Harvey Reese produce in association with Shared Experience.

For ticket information click here.