Ivo van Hove's new stage musical adaptation of John Cassavetes' 1977 film Opening Night, currently making its world premiere in London's West End at the Gielgud Theatre, officially opened March 26, and the reviews are rolling in. The production began previews March 6.
Directed and conceived by van Hove, the work features a score by Rufus Wainwright and a book by van Hove. The run will continue through July 27.
Sheridan Smith leads the cast as Myrtle, opposite Nicola Hughes as Sarah, Benjamin Walker as Maurice, Amy Lennox as Dorothee, Shira Haas as Nancy, Hadley Fraser as Manny, John Marquez as David, Rebecca Thornhill as Kelly, Cilla Silvia as Carla, Ian McLarnon as Leo, and Jos Slovick as Gus. The ensemble includes Robert Finlayson, Daniel Forrester, Jennifer Hepburn, Chrissie Perkins, and Issy Khogali.
Express (Neil Norman, Stefan Kyriazis)
Financial Times (Sarah Hemming)*
The Independent (Alice Saville)
London Theatre (Marianka Swain)
The New Statesman (Kate Mossman)
The New York Times (Houman Barekat)*
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Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The musical follows Myrtle, a famous actor sent into turmoil after witnessing the sudden death of one of her fans while starring in a new Broadway play. The project is at least the second time van Hove has brought the movie to the stage, following an earlier non-musical iteration that played Toneelgroep Amsterdam, where van Hove is artistic director, in 2006; and NYC's Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2008.
Like van Hove's earlier adaptation of the film, the musical production features set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld and costume design by An D'Huys. The production also includes video design by Versweyveld and sound design by Tom Gibbons and Alex Twiselton. Wainwright has penned his own orchestrations, with Nigel Lilley handling music supervision and music direction. Movement and choreography are by Polly Bennett. Casting is by Julia Horan.
Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Playful Productions are producing.
Visit OpeningNightMusical.com.
Sheridan Smith
Sheridan Smith, Nicola Hughes, John Marquez, and company
Sheridan Smith, John Marquez, and company
Company of Opening Night
Sheridan Smith and Shira Haas
Sheridan Smith and Benjamin Walker
Company of Opening Night
Company of Opening Night
Hadley Fraser and Sheridan Smith
Benjamin Walker and Sheridan Smith
Benjamin Walker and Sheridan Smith
