Rachel John and Rachel Tucker to star in Songs for a New World at London Palladium
All-star cast also includes David Hunter and Cedric Neal as Jason Robert Brown's beloved musical becomes the first to be performed in the West End since lockdown
UPDATE: The ensemble cast for Songs for a New World at the London Palladium is completed by Haroun Al Jeddal, Tyler Davis, Sha Dessi, Charlotte Grayson, Daniel Harriot, Ben Joyce, Kaine Lawrence, Monet Marquis, Georgia Mason, Nathania Ong, Laura Raineri and Liv Sherry.
Songs for a New World, the Jason Robert Brown song cycle most recently seen in the UK as a live stream in July, will become the first musical to be performed in the West End since it was shuttered for Covid-19. An all-star cast will present two performances at the London Palladium on Sunday 11th October.
The producers, Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson of Lambert Jackson Productions, said "It's a total joy to announce a return to live performance with the first musical to return to the West End. To be able to share in the power of collective experience with these incredible performers and an audience together for the first time in over six months reminds us why our industry is so vital."
The stellar cast includes David Hunter (Waitress, Kinky Boots), Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come From Away), Rachel John (Hamilton, The Lion King) and Cedric Neal (Motown, Chess) alongside Shem Omari James, a recent graduate of ArtsEd, who will be making his West End debut.
In line with current government regulations, the show's audience will be socially distanced, reducing the capacity of the Palladium significantly. Audiences will also be required to wear face coverings, and other safety measures will be in place in the venue.
Songs for a New World was written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, premiering in 1995. Since then it has become a favourite of theatre companies and arts colleges all over the world, being performed regularly. A notable recent production in London starred Cynthia Erivo and Jenna Russell.
Lambert Jackson staged an online version of the show in July, with many of the same cast members, in partnership with The Other Palace.
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