Simon Gordon stars in a new concept album of the original new bilingual musical For Tonight, with a cast of West End musical theatre actors and a full Welsh ensemble, which is due be released on all digital platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon etc) on 30th July 2021. Music book and lyrics are by Shenelle Salcido & Spencer Williams, with additional book by Whitney Rhodes.
For Tonight is a new, original musical inspired by writer Spencer Williams’s three times great grandfather’s handwritten journal. More information can be found here.
The British cast is led by Simon Gordon as Haydon Parry, Amy Di Bartolomeo as Mirela Kascht, Dale Evans as Thomas Parry, Erin Caldwell as Henrietta (Nettie) Parry, Jade Davies as Molly Llewellyn, Luke McCall as Winn Lewis, Jake Halsey-Jones as Durriken Kascht, Soophia Foroughi as Syeira Kascht, Glain Rhys as Anne Parry and John Ieuwan Jones as Joseph Parry.
You’re starring in the new concept album ‘For Tonight’ what can you tell us about this new musical?
For Tonight is a true story, based on the journal of the writer’s great, great, great Grandfather. It’s set in Wales, which is a rarity in itself. The Welsh language is championed throughout, and it makes for some beautiful moments with music & speech. The music has found its own genre – it’s a real mix of pop, rock, folk and musical theatre.
Although it took place in the 1800s, the themes this story deals with are current and as important as ever to address. The casting reflects the story & today’s society truthfully, which is of the utmost importance – especially when dealing with the issues that ‘For Tonight’ does.
It’s an epic show that will be colossal on stage, but also the songs are so well written and catchy that they work as stand-alone songs, I can’t wait to listen to the album.
It’s based on a handwritten journal, how does it feel to be bringing a true story to life?
The best stories are the ones that leave you with something to think about. Something that challenges your current perspective. Because, ultimately, those stories will effect change. A story hits harder when it’s true. We feel a deeper connection to the characters knowing that they were real people who actually went through what we are witnessing on stage. You feel a sense of responsibility when you know it’s a true story – it is someone’s legacy. When you think about it, if someone was to play you on stage over 100 years after you’d left this world – you’d hope they’d tell it right.
Tell us about your character, Haydon, what surprised you most about the character?
He lost his parents at a young age, and yet remained positive and ambitious. That was the most surprising thing for me. When things like that happen to people, they often become bitter and understandably so. But Haydon is somehow still hopeful that the world & the people in it are good. He actively looks for the good in people.
How would you describe the score?
The score is everything I hoped it would be and more. Every song is there to move the story forward. They don’t just provide a vehicle for the story telling, they are fantastic songs in their own right. There are a few songs in the show that I can imagine being released as singles and ending up in the charts. Not only that, they are so much fun to sing.
What have you enjoyed most about working on For Tonight?
The people. Coming together during the year we’ve all had, in the midst of a pandemic, and creating a cast recording from different sides of the world, has been a total joy. The production and creative teams have been in America from start to finish & they’ve accomplished something fantastic. To be part of that is a privilege I will always remember about this year.
What would you say to anyone thinking of buying the concept album when it’s released?
There is truly nothing like it out there at the moment. You’re going to want to hear this!
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