Tony and Olivier Award-winning producers Hal Luftig, Craig Haffner, Sherry Wright, and Kevin Connor have announced a new workshop presentation of British Invasion, a musical directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.
The workshop will take place in London on 18 and 19 September, with a book by Rick Elice and musical supervision by Tom Deering.
Set during the explosive rise of the 1960s, British Invasion is a vibrant, feel-good tale of young love and rock ’n’ roll. The show features over two dozen chart-topping hits from iconic British artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Cilla Black, and Dusty Springfield.
Originally conceived by Herman’s Hermits frontman Peter Noone, the musical captures the energy and optimism of a generation defined by cultural revolution.
The cast includes Jonny Amies (The Little Big Things) as Peter Noone, Jenna Bonner (The Lion King) as Suki, Daniel Bravo (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club) as Andrew, Stevie Doc (Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Marianne, Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie & Clyde, Heathers) as Mick, Melissa Jacques (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Wicked) as Peter’s Mum, George Maguire (Sunny Afternoon) as Paul McCartney, Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Geno, and Ashley Samuels (Motown The Musical, The Book of Mormon) as the Dealer.
The ensemble features Taila Halford (Mamma Mia!) as Mary Quaint, Ying Ue Li (Shucked), Tom Oliver (Jersey Boys), and Rachel Rawlinson (Bat Out of Hell), with further casting to be announced.
Casting is by Jill Green CDG, with Tom Shiels as Casting Associate. General Management is by Thomas Hopkins Productions.
Jerry Mitchell said, “Before they were big. Before Ed Sullivan introduced the Beatles. Before British bands took over the world — they were making music for each other at The Bag O’ Nails. I love these songs, and I love that moment when no one yet knew the impact they would have. With British Invasion*, we get to re-live that explosion of possibility — the sound, the style, the spirit of a generation discovering itself through music. Developing this show in London, the birthplace of so much of that energy, feels exactly right. This city was the epicentre of a cultural revolution, and it’s thrilling to explore that legacy in the rehearsal room with this extraordinary company. The Bag of Nails, Carnaby and Kingly Street is the heart of this story and much of that energy feels exactly right.”*
More information can be found here
