Stage and screen star Todrick Hall has joined the cast of the world premiere of Burlesque the Musical, the previously announced stage adaptation of Steven Antin’s film of the same.
Hall, whose Broadway credits include Chicago, Waitress, Kinky Boots, The Color Purple, and Memphis, will play the role of Sean. Also newly announced for the production are It’s a Sin star Michael Mather as Jackson, Ope Sowande as Trey, Lewis Easter in the ensemble, with Callum Aylott, Lucy Campbell, and Amber Pierson as swings.
These artists join the previously reported Jess Folley as Ali Rose (the part created by Christina Aguilera, who is executive producing the stage adaptation), Olivier winner George Maguire as Vince, Billie-Kay as Sophia, B Terry as Georgie, Jess Qualter as Daphne, Yasmin Harrison as Brenda/Dance Captain, Lily Wang as Fifi, Hollie-Ann Lowe as Summer, and Alessia McDermott in the ensemble.
Hall, who has also written new songs for Burlesque the Musical, said in a statement, “The movie of Burlesque was so iconic to so many of us—to now be working with both Steven Antin and Christina Aguilera who are reuniting for this new musical is a dream come true.
"I
am beyond excited to be returning to my first love, musical theatre, in
such a special way. My first original role and my theatrical composing
debut. To be able to bring music that I wrote to life, to share the
stage and the writing credit with the star that is Jess Folley is a
dream come true! I'm blessed, honored, flattered, and ready to dust off
the old heels and let the kids have it eight shows a week!”
The new musical will make its world premiere this summer at the
Manchester Opera House, running June 13-29. Those performances have
already sold out, and the production recently announced the musical will
make its Scottish premiere at the Glasgow Theatre Royal September 11-28.
Following Glasgow, the musical will return to the Manchester Opera
House October 3-November 2 prior to a West End transfer with details to
be announced.
Burlesque the Musical has songs by Aguilera, Sia,
Diane Warren, Hall, and Folley. Antin penned the book with
additional material by Kate Wetherhead.
The new musical follows Ali, who heads to the bright lights of New York in search of her long-lost mother and finds herself drawn into an underground world where the beat of the music and the heat of the dance moves will change her life forever. Nick Winston directs and choreographs.
Aguilera said in an earlier statement, "Burlesque was my first feature film—and creating the role of Ali along with co-writing the music was a part of my career that I will always cherish. I am so happy to be reunited with Steven, this time behind-the-scenes as an executive producer and contributing songwriter for our new stage version. Recreating Burlesque as a live theatre experience is something I always hoped would happen, and here we are!”
The production will also have set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume
design by Ryan Dawson Laight, musical arrangements and orchestrations by
Tom Curran, musical supervision by Phil Bateman, lighting design by
Jack Knowles, sound design by Ben Harrison, casting by Harry Blumenau
and associate casting by Sarah-Jane Price, hair and wig design by Carole
Hancock, makeup design by Guy Common, musical direction by Chris Poon,
associate choreography by creative co-producer Robin Antin, assistant
direction and choreography by Ryan-Lee Seager, associate choreography by
Libby Watts, costume supervision by Laura Rushton, assistant
choreography by Tommy Franzen, dramaturgy by Sarah Day, orchestra fixing
by David Gallagher, and production management by Lloyd Thomas.
Academy Award winner Cher co-starred in the Burlesque film, which followed Ali (Aguilera), who escaped hardship in a small town to follow her dreams to L.A. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, she lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner. Ali then becomes a star performer at the club.
The soundtrack included "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Welcome to Burlesque," "Tough Lover," "But I Am a Good Girl," "Guy What Takes His Time," "Express," "You Haven't Seen the Last Of Me," "Bound to You," "Show Me How You Burlesque," and "The Beautiful People."
Burlesque the Musical is produced by Adam Paulden and Jason Haigh-Ellery and Sue Gilad and Larry Rogowsky, Steven Antin, and Christina Aguilera.
The production is general managed by ADAMA Entertainment.
For ticket information visit BurlesquetheMusical.com.
