Sandra Dickinson will star in the UK premiere of I Loved Lucy at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre
I Loved Lucy, a play that explores the final years of musical comedy legend Lucille Ball, will follow up a well-received workshop presentation in London last year with a full UK premiere at the Jermyn Street Theatre next month.
The show, which was written by Lee Tannen and is based on his own memoir, recounts his close friendship with the red-headed funny girl in the last decade of her life. The piece was workshopped at Above the Arts in Newport Street in October with Sandra Dickinson (Blithe Spirit, Singin’ in the Rain) as Ball.
Dickinson will return to the role of the iconic star who became one of the most popular film and TV stars of her day. The actress will play opposite Matthew Bunn (The Ladykillers) who co-stars as Tannen for the four-week season at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre from 2–27 February.
The new production will be directed by the theatre’s artistic director Anthony Biggs and designed by Gregor Donnelly. The show is being produced by Gary DiMauro, Therese Steiner and Showstoppers NY in association with Jermyn Street Theatre.
Writer Tannen, who first met Ball as a child, became one of her closest friends during her final years away from the spotlight. His account of his time with her during the last ten years of her life – also entitled I Loved Lucy – became an instant bestseller. In 2010 he adapted his book for the stage and the play was premiered at The Laguna Playhouse in California. Tannen’s previous work includes a new libretto for the 2007 stage adaptation of the classic children’s story Dr. Dolittle, starring and directed by Tommy Tune with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.
In 2003, Tannen was writer and associate director for Paparazzi, an original musical for Holland America Line directed by Tommy Tune. In 2001, he wrote and directed All The World’s a Stage, a star-studded benefit for Variety Club at Carnegie Hall. He has also written special material for Joan Rivers, Elizabeth Taylor and Shirley MacLaine.
Angela Thomas
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