Cast announced for Death Takes a Holiday at Charing Cross Theatre

The Charing Cross Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming European premiere of Maury Yeston's off-Broadway musical Death Takes a Holiday, which will play a limited engagement at the off-West End venue from 16th January to 4th March 2017.

Directed by Thom Southerland, the cast of Death Takes a Holiday will be led by Maxwell Caulfield, Zoë Doano and Chris Peluso.

Maxwell Caulfield is perhaps best known for his screen roles on "Dynasty," "The Colbys" and "Grease 2." He previously made his West End debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago and went on to reprise the role on Broadway. His other most notable theatre credits include 'An Inspector Calls' (Broadway), 'Singin' in the Rain' (Chichester Festival), 'My Fair Lady,' 'A Little Night Music,' and, most recently, the UK tour of 'Guys & Dolls.'

Zoë Doano's previous theatre credits include Cosette in the West End production of Les Misérables, Johanna in the Tooting Pie Shop transfer of 'Sweeney Todd,' and Marianne in the European première of Jerry Herman's 'The Grand Tour' at the Finborough Theatre.

Chris Peluso's West End credits include Chris in Miss Saigon, and Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat. His Broadway credits include 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,' 'Mamma Mia!,' 'Lestat,' and Sondheim's 'Assassins.' He also played Fiyero in the US National Tour of 'Wicked.' Chris will be appearing in the Charing Theatre production until 11th February, when James Gant will step in for the remainder of the run.

The rest of the company will include (in alphabetical order) Kathryn Akin, Anthony Cable, Trudi Camilleri, Ken Christiansen, Scarlett Courtney, Sophie-May Feek, James Gant, Matthew McDonald, Gay Soper, Ashley Stillburn, Samuel Thomas, and Helen Turner.

 Death Takes a Holiday features music and lyrics by Maury Yeston - a multi-Tony Award winner whose credits include Titanic and 'Nine' - and a book by multi-Tony winners Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan. The musical is based on the 1928 Italian play of the same name, which was also the inspiration for the 1998 film "Meet Joe Black," starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins.

"In Northern Italy, shortly after World War One, Death disguises himself as a handsome young prince to try to understand why life is so precious and death so feared. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, this mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death."

The creative team for the production features musical direction by Dean Austin, choreography by Sam Spencer-Lane, scenic design by Morgan Large, costume design by Jonathan Lipman, lighting design by Matt Daw, and sound design by Andrew Johnson.

Death Takes a Holiday premiered off-Broadway in 2011, picking up a total of 11 Drama Desk Awards in New York.

Buy tickets for Death Takes a Holiday here.