Little Fish - Finborough Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
A NEW musical, Little Fish, receives its European premiere at Finborough Theatre where it runs from Tuesday, October 27 to Saturday, November 21, 2009.
When Charlotte decides to give up smoking, she doesn’t realise quite how difficult it will be. As she attempts to fill her nicotine-starved days, the events of a troubled past slowly begin to resurface: an abusive ex-boyfriend, a new life in New York, a bizarre roommate and a boss who is a little too hands on.
As her emotional debris accumulates, we see Charlotte’s vivid memories juxtaposed against her present day life. But even with her friends trying to help, can this Little Fish learn to survive in a pond as big as New York City?
Little Fish introduces the audience to a darker New York than that seen in most musicals. Inhabiting the lesser-seen corners of the city, Michael John LaChiusa blends a pulsating, jazzy and resonant score with intelligent and witty lyrics.
The cast including Ashley Campbell (The Rat Pack, Fame), Michael Cantwell (Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd, Cats, Into The Woods), Katie Foster-Barnes (Peter Pan, The Pirates of Penzance, Dangerous Corner), Nick Holder (The Drowsy Chaparone, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar), Alana Maria (Dancing in the Streets, 125th Street, The Blues Brothers), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Sunset Boulevard), Lee William-Davis (Mary Poppins, Anything Goes, On the Town) and Julia Worsley (Les Miserables, Oliver! and the films Evita and The Phantom of the Opera).
Little Fish is directed by Adam Lenson, who returns to Finborough Theatre with the team behind last year’s sell-out production of the new musical Ordinary Days, which starred West End regular Julie Atherton. As a director, he also took part in this year’s 24 Hour Plays at the Old Vic.
Five time Tony nominee Michael John LaChiusa’s other works include The Wild Party (originally starring Toni Colette and Mandy Patinkin), Marie Christine, Hello Again, Bernarda Alba and See What I Wanna See (starring Idina Menzel). His new musical Giant, opened at the Signature Theatre in Washington DC this year.
Suggested by the short stories of Deborah Eisenberg, Little Fish has book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, musical direction and orchestrations by Richard Bates, choreography by Nicholas Cunningham, set and costume design by Bec Chippendale and lighting by James Smith.
Tickets: £18, £14 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £14 all seats, and Saturday evenings £18 all seats. Previews (October 27 and 28) £14 all seats.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Saturday matinees at 3pm (from November 7), Sunday matinees at 3pm.
Performance Length: Approximately 90 minutes.
For more information call the box office on 0844 847 1652 or visit the Website