Pablo Gómez Jones as Chi Chi, Gregory Haney as Noxeema and Peter Caulfield as Vida in To Wong Foo the Musical
The full cast and creative team have been unveiled for the world premiere of a musical based on the hit 1990s film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.
Due to debut at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre next month, To Wong Foo the Musical will star Peter Caulfield (Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Vida Boheme, Gregory Haney (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, West End; Hamilton, original Broadway production) as Noxeema Jackson and Pablo Gómez Jones (In Dreams, Leeds Playhouse; Les Misérables, Mexico City) as Chichi Rodríguez.
They will be joined by Carolyn Maitland (Next To Normal, Donmar Warehouse; Jersey Boys, West End) as Carol Ann, Duncan Burt (Friendsical, UK tour) as Sheriff Dollard, Alexander Kranz as Bobby Ray (professional debut), Arthur Boan (Oklahoma!, West End) as Tommy Paul, Ayesha Maynard (Hairspray, Kilworth House Theatre) as Beulah June, Emily Ooi (Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible Theatre) as Bobby Lee, Jermaine Woods (Sister Act, Eventim Apollo) as Willie Joe/John Jacob, Lee Harris (Les Misérables, West End) as Ed Earl/Crazy Elijah, Natalie Day (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Arts Theatre) as Mary Lou, Scott Hunter (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End) as Billy Budd, Susie Fenwick (Beautiful, UK tour) as Clara Pearl, Samantha Bingley (Beauty and the Beast, London Palladium) as Rose of Sharon and Theo Maddix (Cabaret, The KitKat Club) as Rachel Tensions/Jimmy Jack.
The cast also includes Jamil Abbasi (Great British Bake-Off Musical, Noel Coward Theatre) and Megan Davies-Truin (Jerry Springer the Opera, Hope Mill Theatre).
Written and directed by the screenwriter of the original film, multiple Tony Award-nominee Douglas Carter Beane with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn, To Wong Foo the Musical will play a limited nine-week season at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre from 21 October until 17 December 2023.
The production will feature choreography by Jane McMurtrie, musical supervision by Brad Simmons, set design by Katie Lias, costume design by Gregory Gale, wig design by Bobbie Zlotnik, make-up design by Andrew Sotomayor, sound design by Sam Glossop, lighting design by Jack Weir, video design by Dan Light and musical direction by Andrew Hilton, with associate direction by Joseph Houston, intimacy coordination and fight direction by Haruka Kurado, associate costume design by Rachel Tansey and casting by Sarah Leung. The artwork is designed by FEAST Creative with videography by Umbrella Rooms.
Commenting on the production Carter Beane said: “I am so thrilled to bring the World Premiere of To Wong Foo the Musical, not only to the UK, but to the wonderful Hope Mill Theatre and Manchester. When I wrote this story back in the ’90s, it was always a theatre show in my mind, and fortunately for me, Steven Spielberg and Beeban Kidron thought it would make a great movie. But, for me it was always the ambition to bring it to the stage and I’m so happy its finally happening.
“Although the musical continues to be an homage to Drag, ’90s New York and the amazing individuals who made it such a vibrant place to be, it is even more politically relevant today than ever before as censorship and condemnation of drag is unfortunately on the rise in the United States. I hope this show connects with new audiences as it did way back then… come along for the ride!”
Hope Mill Theatre’s artistic director Joseph Houston added: “We are honoured to be producing the musical world premiere of this fabulously camp movie. To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, really brought drag to a mainstream audience in a massive way and as a queer piece of movie history, was truly ground-breaking.
“To be working so closely with Doug and having him direct is also a huge honour. To Wong Foo as a piece of work has always been destined to be told on stage and as a musical. Those that know and love the film can expect all of those brilliant one liners, supported by a score that is a little bit club, a little bit country, a little bit musical theatre, but a whole lot of attitude. And for those experiencing the show for the first time, welcome to the drag-fantasy-musical-extravaganza, that is To Wong Foo!”
Starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as three New York drag queens on a road trip, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar was the first major Hollywood movie to feature drag queens as the main protagonists. Directed by Beeban Kidron, the feel-good musical comedy featured a number of eye-catching cameos including Naomi Campbell, Quentin Crisp, RuPaul, Robin Williams and Julie Newmar herself.
Angela Thomas
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