The cast of But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical. Picture: Mark Senior
Alice Croft will play pom-pom wielding high school senior Megan Williams in the world premiere of But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical at London’s Turbine Theatre from 18 February until 15 April 2022.
The co-founder and artistic director of The Grad Fest, Croft (Soapdish The Musical – MT Fest 2020, Turbine Theatre) will be joined by Oliver Brooks (Matilda The Musical, RSC and West End) as Dad/Larry, Edward Chitticks (Hairspray UK and international tour) as Jared/Rock, Damon Gould (Kinky Boots, UK tour) as André, Tiffany Graves (Top Hat, The Mill at Sonning) as Mary Brown, Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages original West End cast) as Mom/Lloyd, Lemuel Knights (School of Rock international tour) as Mike, Evie Rose Lane (Gatsby, Southwark Playhouse) as Graham, Harry Singh (The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Cadogan Hall) as Jalal, Jodie Steele (Heathers, The Other Palace/West End) as Kimberly/Hilary, Aaron Teoh (The King & I UK and international tour) as Dolph and Kia-Paris Walcott (Goldilocks & The Three Bears, Crossroads Pantomimes) as Sinead.
Featuring a book and lyrics by Bill Augustin and music by Andrew Abrams, the musical which takes its inspiration from the cult classic 1999 film But I’m a Cheerleader is the first fully commissioned musical to be staged after debuting at popular showcase event MTFestUK. The musical was one of the new works showcased at the first MTFestUK in 2019 at London’s The Other Palace.
Presented by Paul Taylor-Mills and Bill Kenwright in association with Adam Bialow by special arrangement with Lionsgate, But I’m a Cheerleader: The Musical is directed by Tania Azevedo with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set and costume design by David Shields, lighting by Martha Godfrey and sound design by Chris Whybrow.
Announcing the production last year, the driving force behind MTFest UK and the Turbine Theatre’s artistic director Taylor-Mills said: “The premiere of But, I’m a Cheerleader at the Turbine Theatre is special for many reasons. Firstly, it is the first fully produced musical that I will stage that started life at our first MTFestUK three years ago. This is our annual festival that shines the spotlight on the development and creation of musicals. Secondly, it will also be the first brand-new musical to premiere at The Turbine which was always our driving ambition at the theatre.
“The musical explores themes around conversion therapy and coming out and the complications some teenagers face trying to be their authentic selves. Conversion therapy is still legal in the UK and most of America and is very much still in play. This important work feels absolutely in line with the type of stories that we want to tell at The Turbine and I couldn’t be prouder that we are able to present this as our first musical of 2022. I’m delighted to welcome Tania Azevedo and Alexzandra Sarmiento to the project to bring this important story to life.”
Commenting on the musical, Azevedo said: “I am thrilled to be working on the musical adaptation of this LGBTQ+ Cult Classic. I think it’s crucial for our community to see ourselves in pieces of theatre that are comedic, that celebrate Queer joy and But I’m a Cheerleader is exactly that.”
The show’s producer, Bialow added: “We’re honoured that But I’m a Cheerleader: The Musical is the first fully commissioned musical to come out of MTFEST and are extremely thrilled to collaborate with Paul Taylor-Mills as the musical takes its next steps.
“In light of the subject matter – conversion therapy – being debated in both the United Kingdom and United States, I believe that this story is more necessary and sadly more relevant than ever. The writers have further developed the characters from the original motion picture, making them more accessible to a wider audience without detracting from their true essence in a way that is both entertaining and transformative in the process.”
Directed by Jamie Babbit and with a screenplay by Brian Wayne Peterson, But I’m a Cheerleader starred Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul Charles and Michelle Williams. Lionsgate has marked the 2oth anniversary of the teen movie satire with the release of But I’m a Cheerleader: Director’s Cut on BluRay and video on demand. The release includes deleted scenes, Babbit’s student film Discharge and the featurette But I’m a Cheerleader: Class Reunion.
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.