The Young Vic Theatre today announces full casting for the world premiere musical A Face in the Crowd from legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and award-winning Broadway playwright Sarah Ruhl.
As countries across the world head to the polls, this timely production reignites the Hollywood classic about celebrity, power, and politics.
It is directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah in his final production as Young Vic Artistic Director with production design by Anna Fleischle, and is based on the original story and screenplay by Budd Schulberg and the Warner Bros. film.
A Face in the Crowd runs at the Young Vic from 10 September to 9 November with opening night for press on Friday 20 September.
‘You gotta keep him here, Miss Jeffries. He’s the goose who laid the golden egg.’
When radio producer Marcia Jeffries meets drifter “Lonesome Rhodes”, she immediately gives him a slot on her show. But as Lonesome’s fan base grows and the politicians take notice, Marcia realises she has unleashed a force she can no longer control.
Joining the previously announced Tony and Olivier Award nominated Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables) as Lonesone Rhodes and Olivier nominated Anoushka Lucas (Laurey Williams in Oklahoma!, Elephant) as Marcia Jeffries are Stavros Demetraki (Oklahoma!, The Vote) as Joey D, Olly Dobson (Back to the Future – Olivier Award nomination, Just for One Day) as Mel Miller, Emily Florence, in her professional stage debut, as Betty Lou, Howard Gossington (Patriots, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Sheriff Hosmer/Ensemble, Andrew Coshan (Groundhog Day, A View from the Bridge), Sadie-Jean Shirley (Ain’t Too Proud, White Christmas), Chris Jenkins (Jack Absolute Flies Again, War of the Worlds), Durone Stokes (Groundhog Day, The Lion King), Vicki Lee Taylor (Heathers the Musical, Mrs Doubtfire) and Annie Wensak (Flowers for Mrs Harris, My Fair Lady) in the Ensemble, and Jasmin Colangelo (Groundhog Day, Legally Blonde) and Bobby Windebank (The Time Traveller’s Wife, Rock of Ages) as Swings.
The creative team also brings together Lighting Designer Jackie Shemesh, Musical Supervisor and Musical Director Phil Bateman, Sound Designer Emma Laxton, Choreographer Lizzi Gee and Casting Director Heather Basten CDG.
