Becoming Nancy – cast recording tracks released and cast confirmed

Picture: Alexis Chabala

Birmingham Rep has released selected tracks from the cast recording of Becoming Nancy ahead of the musical’s UK premiere this autumn.

Directed and choreographed by double Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (La Cage aux Folles, Kinky Boots), the production will feature Joseph Peacock (The Last Ship, US tour, Bat out of Hell, West End) as the central character, David Starr, with Joseph Vella (Annie Get Your Gun, Lavender Theatre From Here to Eternity, Charing Cross Theatre) as Maxie Boswell, Paige Peddie (The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre, Oklahoma!, Wyndham’s Theatre) as Frances Bailey, Rebecca Trehearn (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Show Boat, Sheffield Crucible/New London Theatre), as Kath Starr, Genevieve Nicole (Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre/tour, Magic Goes Wrong, Apollo Theatre) as Aunt Val, Mathew Craig (Crazy for You, Chichester Festival Theatre/Gillian Lynne Theatre, We Will Rock You, UK tour) as Eddie Starr, Stephen Ashfield (The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales, Boy Meets Boy, Jermyn Street Theatre) who will reprise his performance as Hamish McClarnon (a role he created at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia) and Daisy Greenwood (Made in Dagenham in Concert, London Palladium, There is Nothing Like a Dame, Cadogan Hall) as Abigail Henson.

They will be joined by: Layla Armstrong-Hughes (Marcia Tubbert), Shannon Bourne (Ensemble), Elliot Copeland (Swing and Dance Captain), Joseph Craig (Ensemble), Jessica Daugirda (Swing), Isaac Elder (Squirrel), Cameron Gabriel (Ensemble), Tom Andrew Hargreaves (Bus Conductor/Mr Boswell, Ensemble), Ollie Hart-Bradford (Ensemble), Sebastian Harwood (Jason Lancaster), Lucas Impey (Dennis Gordon), Jordan Isaac (Swing)Peter Lavery (Ensemble), Dominique McIntyre (Chrissie Starr), Zara McLellan (Ensemble), Richard Meek (Bob Lord), Rachel Rawlinson (Muriel/Mrs Boswell, Ensemble) and Harry Warburton (Ensemble).

The EP track listing for the Original Cast Recording of Becoming Nancy (now available on all the normal platforms) is as follows:

‘The Risk’ (performed by Joseph Peacock)

‘Just For Today’ (performed by Joseph Peacock, Joseph Vella and Paige Peddie)

‘Ready To Be Touched’ (performed by Paige Peddie)

‘About Six Inches From Your Heart’ (performed by Rebecca Trehearn)

‘On The Night Bus’ (performed by Genevieve Nicole and Daisy Greenwood)

‘Is This Something?’ (performed by Joseph Peacock)

Commenting on the cast, the musical’s director and choreographer Mitchell said: “Becoming Nancy requires a lot of young fresh talent, and I’m so excited to introduce these incredible young performers to British audiences  alongside some spectacular West End stars. This beautiful story about finding your true self and the spotlight each of us deserves is going to be a joy to share with audiences of all ages.”

Based on the coming-of-age novel by Terry Ronald, the musical features a book by Elliot Davis and music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe with additional music and lyrics by Ronald, Davis and Stiles. The musical premiered in Atlanta, Georgia in 2019.

Running from 2 October to 2 November with a press night on 15 October, the 1979-set musical tells the story of pop music-loving sixth former David Starr whose casting as the female lead in the school’s production of Oliver! sends shockwaves through the school and beyond.

The creative team for the production also includes: David Rockwell and TJ Greenway (co-set design), Jean Chan (costume design), Philip Rosenberg (lighting design), Tony Gayle (sound design), Dick Straker (video design), Susanna Peretz (hair and make-up design) and Steve Anderson (musical supervision and arrangements), with casting by Jill Green with casting associates Tom Shiels and Olivia Laydon.

Angela Thomas

https://slinky.to/BecomingNancyOCR