Grease - Jimmy Osmond shortens run
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
JIMMY Osmond, who joins the cast of Grease on January 19, 2009, will now leave the production two weeks earlier than originally scheduled – on February 28.
Previously Posted: Jimmy Osmond, the youngest member of The Osmonds, an American family pop group that had a string of hits in the 1970s, will make his West End debut when he joins the cast of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre – from January 19 to March 14, 2009.
He will take on the role of Teen Angel, the character who performs the number Beauty School Dropout.
Osmond, whose solo Long Haired Lover from Liverpool topped the UK charts when he was just nine years old, said of his West End debut: “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the West End and what better show than Grease. It is fast, fun, energetic and full of talent and I am just thrilled to be playing Teen Angel.”
Grease has book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and songs that include Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee, We Go Together, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease Lightnin’, Grease Is the Word, Summer Nights and You’re the One That I Want.
The current cast is led by Danny Bayne as Danny Zuko and Nicola Brazil as Sandy, with Ray Quinn as Doody. The production is directed by David Gilmore, choreographed by Arlene Phillips, and produced by David Ian and Paul Nicholas, by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.
Speaking of Osmond joining the cast, Ian said: “Jimmy Osmond is truly a worldwide star and to have him starring in Grease, the UK’s number 1 musical, is as exciting as it gets for London Theatre fans”.
Grease is currently booking until October 31, 2009.