West End star Caroline Sheen has stepped in to replace Louise Redknapp for the first few weeks of the eagerly-awaited Savoy Theatre run of Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical.
The actress, who featured in the original cast of The Witches of Eastwick (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) and took on the title role in the UK and US touring production of Mary Poppins, will take on the role of Violet Newstead from 28 January 2019 until the end of March.
Former pop star Redknapp, who was forced to delay her debut as Violet on doctor’s advice after she sustained injuries to her face and wrist in a fall, is expected to re-join the company in late March.
Presented by the Queen of Country herself, the new production is due to play a limited season at London’s Savoy Theatre from 28 January until 31 August.
Redknapp, who previously starred in the UK tour of Cabaret, was due to star alongside Love Island’s Amber Davies, and West End star Natalie McQueen (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre, Wicked, Apollo Victoria) as Violet, Judy and Doralee, the roles created on screen by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Parton.
Producers have stated any ticket holders who wish to exchange their tickets for a performance when Redknapp has returned to the show should contact their point of sale.
Directed by Jeff Calhoun, the director of the 2010/2011 US tour, the show also features comedian turned West End leading man Brian Conley (Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, London Palladium) in the central character of Franklin Hart Jr, the chauvinistic boss originally played on screen by award-winning screen star Dabney Coleman. Bonnie Langford is also due to return to the role of Roz Keith, the office assistant with an eavesdropping habit, a role she played during the UK tour of the show in 2012.
Based on the much-loved 1980s movie, the lively musical comedy features music and lyrics by Parton, and a book by Patricia Resnick based on the screenplay by Resnick and the director of the original film Colin Higgins.
A comic battle of the sexes involving three female office workers who get the better of their sexist, egotistical boss, the musical attracted 15 Drama Desk Award nominations and four Tony Award nominations when it ran on Broadway in 2009 with a cast that featured Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty and Marc Kudisch.
Calhoun heads a creative team that includes: choreographer Lisa Stevens, set and costume designer Tom Rogers and lighting designer Howard Hudson, with musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for 9 to 5 The Musical are available HERE
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