The full cast and creative team have been unveiled for the world premiere of King of Pangea at London’s King’s Head Theatre this summer.
Featuring a book, music and lyrics by Martin Storrow and directed by Richard Israel, the cast includes Dan Burton (Gypsy, West End and Chichester Festival Theatre, Chicago, national tour/West End) as Arthur Crow/Captain, Mark Curry (Wicked, West End, White Christmas, Mill at Sonning) as Elijah, Sophia Ragavelas (Les Misérables, West End, Mamma Mia! (West End)) as Celia Crow, Emily Tang (Aladdin, Theatre Royal, York, House of Cleopatra, Edinburgh Festival Fringe) as Amy/Maya and Alfie Blackwell (professional debut) as Sam Crow. The cast is completed by Daniel Lee as Young Sam, Tayt Joshua Silvester-Stoller as Young Sam, Grace Chapman as Cover and Haydn Cox as Cover.
Commenting on the casting, Israel said: “We are beyond thrilled to be working with this incredibly talented group of artists. The opportunity to work with such musical theatre icons as Dan, Mark and Sophia is a gift, and it is a particular thrill to be introducing Alfie Blackwell to the London theatre community. This is an extraordinary cast of actors, and we can’t wait to begin the journey with them.”
The creative and production team also includes set and costume designer Carly Brownbridge, musical supervisor, orchestrator and arranger Anthony Lucca, musical director Jordan Paul Clarke, movement director Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, lighting designer Catja Hamilton, sound designer Yvonne Gilbert, casting director Nicholas Hockaday, costume supervisor Molly Fraser, associate director Miranda Middleton, production manager Daniel Steward and children’s manager Louis Ling for Theatre Kid, with Deus Ex Machina (DEM) Productions serving as executive producer and general manager.
As previously announced the production will mark triple Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell’s debut as a producer. Mitchell has joined lead producers Nicole LaFountaine of Straighten Your Crown Productions, Jaime Bartolett and Luke Katler to present the musical at the King’s Head Theatre from 7 June until 6 July. His connection to the project began when he became a writing mentor during the Barn on Fire new musical writers’ residency programme in Fire Island Pines in New York.
Commenting on the musical, Mitchell said: “There is no escaping death and loss and how we process these tragedies often comes without a map. King of Pangea is the map. A beautiful map to the other side of grief, loss and eventual salvation. When I heard Martin’s stunning music I knew I wanted to do anything I could to help others hear this moving melodic story. This musical confirms life is to be lived every day even through the loss of the people we love most.”
Based on Storrow’s own experience, the new musical follows protagonist Christopher Crow who faces the loss of his always optimistic mother by escaping to the only place that makes sense – the imaginary island of his childhood.
Angela Thomas
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