Roam, a new musical directed by Rupert Hands (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Evita) with choreography by Olivier winner James Cousins (Guys and Dolls, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), will perform a special one-night only concert at London's Shaftesbury Theatre November 23.
Featuring music and lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen with a book by Michael Dovid, Roam is based on an original concept by Dovid. Blending rock, pop, and Romani music, the fusion score unravels the story of a nomadic clan's caravan as they confront the ghosts of their past while trapped in hostile territory. At the centre stands Yoska, a father tormented by loss and regret, whose unexpected return throws his sons Stefo and Pesha into a storm of loyalty, rivalry, and long-buried grief.
The upcoming concert will star Tony and Olivier nominee Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables, Funny Girl) as Yoska, Diego Andres Rodriguez (Evita, Sunset Blvd.) as Pesha, Jordan Luke Gage (&Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde) as Stefo, Frances Mayli McCann (The Great Gatsby, Bonnie & Clyde) as Aishe, Melanie La Barrie (Hadestown, &Juliet) as Vodoma, and Hope Lavelle (The Phantom of the Opera) as Nanoka, with Olivier winner David Thaxton (Sunset Blvd., Come From Away) as Philippe.
Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Lloyd Kikoler, Nick Barstow will act as musical director, and vocal arrangements will be by Cynthia Meng, with arrangements by Oyen and Kikoler. Set and costume design will be by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design will be by Peter Small, and sound design will be by Sound Quiet Time.
Further casting and creative team members will be announced at a later date.
Roam was previously workshopped with Romani theatre company Giuvlipen and the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest and had a private industry presentation in New York City earlier this year. Additional book material is by Romana Isabella and Cultural Consultation is by Hope Lavelle. Roam is produced by Bandits Roost Entertainment, Ramin Karimloo, Mercy Productions, Wojita Productions, and AnnJen Productions.
