West End and international stars feature among the cast for the world premiere production of new musical Vanara – The Legend at London’s Hackney Empire next month.
Matthew Croke (Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre, Hair, London Palladium), Glenn Carter (Evita, UK tour, Jesus Christ Superstar, UK tour), Johnnie Fiori (Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre, Sunshine Boys, Savoy Theatre, London and Ahmanson Theatre, LA), Carole Stennett (Death of a Salesman, Piccadilly Theatre, The Bodyguard UK tour) and Cavin Cornwall (Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre/Barbican, Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre) will be joined by Broadway rising star Emily Bautista (Miss Saigon) who will make her London debut in the production.
The cast will also include Samantha Mercer (Les Misérables, West End, Jerry Springer the Opera, National Theatre), Kayleigh McKnight (Tina:The Tina Turner Musical, West End, Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Miss Saigon, UK and International tour) and Shem Omari James (The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Leicester Curve, Songs For A New World, Vaudeville Theatre).
Jemima Brown, Chris George, Yuki Abe, Olivia Jones, Ella Martine, Hicaro Nicolai, Prem Rai and Ebby Sama will make up the ensemble.
Produced by Giovanna Romagnoli, the epic futuristic tale of warring tribes features music by Gianluca Cucchiara who also produces, lyrics by Andrew James Whelan and a book by Michael Conley.
Due to launch at the Hackney Empire from 22-31 October ahead of a UK tour, the production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan. Lenson also serves as dramaturg while Drennan is choreographing the production. Set and costume design is by Libby Todd with orchestrations by Jen Green, musical direction by Tamara Saringer and casting by Harry Blumenau.
The musical was first workshopped in 2017 and a concept album featuring Eva Noblezada, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Rob Houchen, Francis Ruffelle and Madalena Alberto was released in 2019.
Angela Thomas
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