Thursday 5th Sep 02

"American Hot" at Palace Theatre Sun 8th Sep 02

American Hot has it’s London Premier at The Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2 on September 8th 2002 at 7.30pm in aid of Crusaid. This marks its launch prior to touring Ireland from September 15th to September 28th 2002 taking in all the major cities including Belfast, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Dublin.

Set against a New York backdrop, American Hot chronicles the lives, loves and let downs of a group of thirtysomethings living in the city. Successful in life but not always in love, their story is told using existing American music in a new context drawing on all styles from Musical Theatre through Soul, Jazz, Blues and even a smattering of Country. Songs include such classics as Blues in the Night, Falling in Love Again, Queen Bee, Fly me to the Moon, Signed Sealed Delivered, I Can’t Make You Love Me and Moon River.

The show features West End performers Paul Baker (Philip Sallon in Boy George’s Taboo, Napoleon in Napoleon, Zazu and Timon in The Lion King, Rusty in Starlight Express, Enjolras in Les Miserables); Carmen Cusack (Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Currently playing Fantine in Les Miserables, a role she played in Belfast and in Dublin opposite Colm Wilkinson and more recently on the US Tour which also visited Shanghai); Karen Evans (Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Cobweb in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Belle understudy in Beauty and The Beast); Ben Goddard (Lead role of John Kelly in The Beautiful Game, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and various TV roles including the latest Linda La Plante Drama to be shown later this year); Tom Pearce (Jesus of Nazareth in Jesus Christ Superstar, Montparnasse and Enjolras in Les Miserables, Kylei/Tremount in Jerry Springer the Opera and recordings including soundtracks to Shrek, Moulin Rouge, Disney’s Atlantis and Tomb Raider); and Josie Walker (Lead role of Mary Maguire in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Beautiful Game, Grizabella in Cats, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, Soloist at the Inauguration of President George Bush).

The cast are accompanied onstage by a 10 piece band under the Direction of Michael England (currently MD on The Phantom of the Opera also MK for Les Miserables, Dr Doolittle, Grease Tour and Aspects of Love Irish Tour). The show has been devised and directed by Mitch Sebastian whose credits include La Cava (Picadilly Theatre), Pippin (Bridewell), The Magic of the Musicals (starring Marti Webb) and Rat Pack (currently touring UK and Ireland).

American Hot has been produced by Linda O’Donovan and Tom Pearce for October Music UK.

Palace Theatre London – ticketline 020 7494 5551 or in person at the box office

Official web site at :www.americanhot.co.uk