Vanessa Williams to star in Elton John's adaptation of 'The Devil Wears Prada' in the West End

Williams will play Miranda Priestly, Editor-in-Chief of Runway Magazine. The role was performed by Meryl Streep in the 2006 film, which also starred Anne Hathaway.

Vanessa Williams, best known for her roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, will play Miranda Priestly in new musical The Devil Wears Prada in the West End. The show opens at the Dominion Theatre on 24 October.

Starring as the Editor-in-Chief of Runway Magazine, Williams is the first cast member to be announced for this new production, which has an original score by Olivier and Tony Award winner Elton John, lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub, book by Kate Wetherhead, and direction and choreography by three-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

Vanessa Williams said, “Bringing Miranda Priestly to life in the West End is an absolute dream come true. Gird your loins, folks.”

The production will have previews at Theatre Royal Plymouth in summer 2024, prior to opening in the West End in October.

The musical follows aspiring journalist Andy, who scores a job at Runway Magazine working for fashion's most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda's impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised.

The rest of the creative team includes set designer Tim Hatley (Life of Pi, Back to the Future), costume designer Gregg Barnes (Some Like It Hot, Legally Blonde), lighting designer Bruno Poet (The Tina Turner Musical, Frankenstein), and sound designer Gareth Owen (Come From Away, & Juliet).

Further casting is to be announced.

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger's best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film, which starred Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci.

Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. (Photo by Matt Crocket)