Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has revealed its 2025 season, the inaugural programming from new Artistic Director Drew McOnie. Among the offerings are a U.K. premiere for Broadway's Shucked and a newly revised version of the Lerner and Loewe classic Brigadoon.
The former will play the outdoor theatre May 10–June 14, with Jack O'Brien returning to direct after staging the 2023 Broadway premiere. Opening night will be May 20. The musical had previously announced a West End bow for 2024 in a Cameron Mackintosh-owned theatre, but that never materialized. With a book by Robert Horn and music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, the musical will cross the pond with a U.K. cast, including Ben Joyce (Back to the Future) as Beau, Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey) as Maizy, Georgina Onuorah (Hamilton) as Lulu, Monique Ashe-Lamer as Storyteller 1, Keith Ramsay as Peanut, Matthew Seadon-Young as Gordy, and Steven Webb as Storyteller 2.
Much of the Broadway creative team will be returning to re-stage the musical, including choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, music supervisor Jason Howland, scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Tilly Grimes, lighting designer Japhy Weideman, and sound designer John Shivers. Carol Hancock will design wigs, hair, and makeup from Mia M Neal's Broadway work, and Katy Richardson will serve as musical director. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is presenting in association with Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano, and Michael Harrison.
McOnie will direct and choreograph a new Brigadoon, performing August 2–September 20 and opening August 11. Scottish playwright Rona Munro has newly adapted Alan Jay Lerner's original book, about the mysterious town on the Scottish Highlands that appears for just one day each century. Danielle Fiamanya (Mandela) will star as Fiona opposite Louis Gaunt (Bridgerton) as Tommy, with additional casting (by Will Burton) to be announced.
The revival will feature set design by Basia Bińkowska, costume design by Sami Fendall, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound design by Lidster, intimacy direction by Mackinnon, and music supervision and orchestrations by Tony winner Sarah Travis. The production is being licensed by Music Theatre International.
Also in the season is a dance evening celebrating Rodgers and Hammerstein's Dream Ballets, performing June 19–22 and opening June 20. Choreographers Julia Cheng, Shelley Maxwell, and Kate Prince will re-imagine dream ballets from (respectively) Allegro, Oklahoma!, and Carousel with new musical arrangements by Simon Hale and live accompaniment by Sinfonia Smith Square. The production will feature lighting design by Joshie Harriette, costumes by Yann Seabra, and sound design by Nick Lidster for Autograph. The evening is being licensed by Concord Theatricals.
Malorie Blackman's novel Noughts & Crosses is also coming to the stage in a version adapted by Dominic Cooke and directed by Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Associate Artistic Director Tinuke Craig, performing June 28–July 26 and opening July 8. Ingrid Mackinnon will serve as movement and intimacy director, with sound design by Max Pappenheim, lighting design by Joshua Pharo, set and costume design by Colin Richmond, and music by DJ Walde. Casting, to be announced, is by Jacob Sparrow.
The theatre's family offering will be a return of its 2024 musical version of Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile, performing during the day August 15–September 7, officially opening August 19. The theatre is also bringing back four Open Air Theatre Festivals and is launching The Theatre Dance Lab, an artist development program for early-career theatre choreographers.
“After what has without doubt been one of the most thrilling incubation periods of my creative career, I am so proud of the season we are now able to announce," says McOnie in a statement. "Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre offers its own unique opportunity to engage with stories under a shared sky, and my ambition is to honor that legacy as we move into this new artistic chapter. Every member of the Regent’s Park team and the many artists that are coming together to share their imaginations with us, will put our audiences, both new and returning, at the center of their process, and it's an honor to work alongside them in delivering my debut season for this much-loved venue."
Memberships are currently on sale, with general ticket sales set to begin February 6. Visit OpenAirTheatre.com.