Casting has been announced for the new production of award-winning musical Grindr: The Opera at the Union Theatre from 25 May until 8 July 2023.
Featuring a book, music and lyrics by Erik Ransom, the musical which places the most notorious gay hook-up app in the exaggerated world of opera will feature James Aymon (Once Upon a Panto, UK tour), Grant Jackson (Top Hat, Upstairs at the Gatehouse), James Lowrie (Bat Out of Hell, West End/international tour), with original 2018 cast members Christian Lunn (Twang!! The Musical, Union Theatre) and Dereck Walker (George’s Marvellous Medicine, Birmingham Stage), recent Arts Ed graduate Billy J Vale and recent Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance graduate Santino Zapico.
Commenting on the inspiration behind the show which won the Best New Musical Award at the Off West End Awards 2019, Ransom said: “Class and crass were the elements I sought to blend in the creation of this show. It is right in the title: Grindr: The Opera.
“Opera brings to mind tuxedos, elegant gowns and pearl necklaces. Grindr brings to mind bare torsos, leather harnesses and, well… pearl necklaces.
“This may not be opera in the traditional sense, but I would argue it fulfils the necessary prerequisites to be defined as such and, like all opera, it lives in a heightened world. I was interested in exploring and exaggerating themes that have become commonplace across the spectrum of queer culture in the Information Age, while paying occasional homage to iconic musical greats like Verdi, Wagner and, of course, The Village People.
“I hope you’ll lose yourself in this eclectic musical world, which is frequently as frivolous as Figaro and at times as tragic as Tosca. I hope you’ll take differing sides in the disputes between the characters, because in my view there are no heroes or villains in this story.
“Grindr is neither good nor bad. It is, like its trademarked sigil, a mask. A guise to be donned by myriad men for a plethora of purposes. However you receive Grindr: The Opera, may you find it at least as enjoyable as your most recent hook up!”
Led by director and choreographer William Spencer, the creative team for the production also includes assistant director Amy Kinnear, musical director Aaron Clingham, designer David Shields, design assistant Ryan Webster, lighting designer Jonathan Chan, sound designer Joshua Robins, production manager Alistair Lindsay and producer Peter Bull.
Angela Thomas
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