Tony Award-winner Lena Hall will join West End star Oliver Tompsett in new musical In Dreams at Leeds Playhouse this summer.
Featuring the music of the late, great Roy Orbison, and reuniting the team behind the hit show & Juliet – writer David West Read and director Luke Sheppard – the story of the former lead singer of a country rock band will receive its world premiere in Leeds from 3 July until 5 August 2023.
A Tony Award-winner for her performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, Hall (Kinky Boots, Broadway) will play the central role of Kenna opposite Tompsett (& Juliet, West End, White Christmas, Leeds Playhouse) as Ramsey, the fiery and passionate drummer who comes crashing back into Kenna’s life.
They will be joined by Manuel Pacific (West Side Story, Manchester Royal Exchange, City of Angels, Garrick Theatre) as restaurant owner Oscar and Gabriela Garcia (A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre, West Side Story, Manchester Royal Exchange) as Oscar’s girlfriend Nicole; Sian Reese-Williams (Enjoy, Leeds Playhouse, Craith, BBC Wales) will play married lyricist Jane; with Noël Sullivan (School of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre, We Will Rock You, UK tour) as guitarist Donovan.
Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet!, Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, Broadway) joins the company from New York as Oscar’s grandmother Ana Sofia with Richard Trinder (The Order of the Phoenix/The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre) as widower George. Leon Craig (Jesus Christ Superstar, world arena tour, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Ahmanson Theatre Los Angeles/Apollo London) plays head chef Tom. Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Announcing the first casting news, director Sheppard said: “This show is a celebration of the power of people coming together, and what an incredible cast we have joining us to do just that. With extraordinary talent from both sides of the Atlantic, this company are going to lift the roof of Leeds Playhouse with music and laughter. It’s a privilege to have them join us and I can’t wait to get started.”
Leeds Playhouse’s artistic director and CEO James Brining said: “What an honour to have such talented and experienced performers from the West End and Broadway here at the Playhouse for this exciting world premiere. We pride ourselves on producing exceptional musical theatre and we are building a reputation for showcasing world class musicals here in Leeds.
“In Dreams will be an incredible feel-good musical that will speak to the experiences of a huge amount of people on the universal themes of love, loss and the legacy we leave behind. Roy Orbison’s music is so beloved around the world that, when it’s teamed with this amazing company, audiences are guaranteed a wonderful evening out. This production promises to be very special indeed”
The creative team for the production also includes choreographer Fabian Aloise, set designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designer Fay Fullerton, lighting designer Howard Hudson and music supervisor Catherine Jayes, with sound designer Tom Marshall, musical director Patrick Hurley, video designer George Reeve, casting director Annelie Powell and casting director (US) Stephen Kopel.
The associates include associate director Tania Azevedo, associate choreographer Paris Green, associate designer (US) Oscar Escobedo, associate designer (UK) Verity Sadler, costume supervisor Laura Hunt, sound associate Callum Wills and casting assistant Alice Walters.
Writer Read said: “It is a tremendous honour to be premiering our new musical In Dreams at Leeds Playhouse, which has developed a reputation for introducing innovative and inspirational work created by artists from around the world.
“When I was growing up in Canada, the iconic music of Roy Orbison was playing on repeat in my household, and it has been a lifelong ambition of mine to build a contemporary musical around his classic songs. To bring this show to the Leeds audience, in this theatre, in this moment, is quite literally a dream come true.”
Angela Thomas
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