Flashdance The Musical - Shaftesbury Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THIS autumn, Flashdance The Musical will open in the West End – at the Shaftesbury Theatre – on October 14, 2010 (previews from September 24).
Set in Pittsburgh, USA, Flashdance The Musical tells the story of 18-year old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.
Based on the 1983 Paramount Pictures film which has screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, and story by Tom Hedley, Flashdance is described as an unmistakably unique musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds.
It includes the numbers Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock and Roll and the Academy Award winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling.
Written by Tom Hedley and Robert Cary, with music by Robbie Roth, and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth, Flashdance The Musical will be directed by Nikolai Foster whose credits include Hay Fever (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Witches of Eastwick (national tour).
The production will be choreographed by Arlene Phillips (The Sound of Music, London Palladium, Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance, BBCTV), and have orchestrations and musical supervision by Phil Edwards.
Casting will be announced shortly.
Flashdance The Musical will be produced in the West End by Christopher Malcolm, David Ian, The Baruch Viertel Routh Frankel Group, and Transamerica.
Flashdance The Musical is initially booking until February 26, 2011.