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The Royal Exchange Theatre, The Hallé Orchestra and The Lowry
in association with Lee Menzies and Kenneth Wax for Wonderful Town UK Ltd presents
WONDERFUL TOWN
Saturday 31 March - Saturday 21 April 2012
Press Night: Wednesday 4 April @ 7.30pm
Starring Connie Fisher
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov
Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Based upon the play My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov and the short stories by Ruth McKenney
Director Braham Murray
Conductor Sir Mark Elder
Choreographer Andrew Wright
Set & Costume Design Simon Higlett
Lighting Design Chris Davey
The Royal Exchange Theatre, The Hallé and The Lowry combine artistic forces for the first time to present a remarkable fully staged, brilliantly choreographed, brand new production of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town which opens at The Lowry on Saturday 31 March. Due to unprecedented demand Wonderful Town will now play an extra week at The Lowry and run until Saturday 21 April, prior to a UK tour.
Connie Fisher, star of The Sound of Music and of the BBC’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? plays aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York with her beautiful younger sister Eileen. The indomitable pair meet an array of colourful characters along the way, creating chaos at every turn in their search for romance, success and a free meal from Walgreen’s deli.
Discussing the role Connie said: ‘I have always enjoyed playing comedy and the part of Ruth is such a great comic role. As if that opportunity wasn't great enough, I also get to sing with the Hallé and work at The Lowry! Awesome!’
Wonderful Town first premiered in New York in 1953 where it won five Tony Awards including Best Musical. The 2003 revival also won further Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Wonderful Town was last performed in London’s West End in 1986.
This fully staged production will be directed by Braham Murray, Joint Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre, who said: ‘To direct a great musical with a fabulous orchestra and world renowned conductor is a dream come true. There is only one word to describe it – wonderful!’
The full forces of The Hallé Orchestra will be conducted by its Music Director Sir Mark Elder (until 14 April). Speaking about this major creative event, Sir Mark said: ‘Manchester and Salford are leading the way in artistic collaboration. Leonard Bernstein’s magnificent work will get what it deserves – a great orchestra performing a great score as part of a great production.’
Wonderful Town will be presented in The Lowry’s acclaimed Lyric Theatre, which has already gained an unrivalled reputation for its staging of some of the world’s most popular musicals. Robert Robson, Artistic Director of The Lowry said: ‘We are delighted for The Lowry to be a partner in this unique and exciting collaboration on this great piece of musical theatre.’
The cast for Wonderful Town also includes; Lucy van Gasse, Michael Xavier, Haydn Oakley, Joseph Alessi, Michael Matus, Sevan Stephan, Nic Greenshields, Tiffany Graves, Annette Yeo, Paul Hawkyard, Natalie Moore-Williams, Katy Hards, Lucinda Lawrence, Lucy James, Frankie Jenna, Oliver Roll, Bob Harms, Peter McPherson, Matt Wilman, Giovanni Spanó, Liam Wrate and Alain, Terzoli.
Following the run at The Lowry in spring 2012, Wonderful Town will tour the UK for 11 weeks. Further information can be found at www.wonderfultown.co.uk.
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