See What I Wanna See - Jermyn Street Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
MICHAEL John LaChiusa’s Off-Broadway hit, See What I Wanna See, will receive its London premiere at Jermyn Street Theatre, where it runs for a limited four weeks from September 11 (previews from September 8) to October 3, 2015.
Based on three short stories by acclaimed Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa as translated by Takashi Kojima, See What I Wanna See is described as a vibrant and provocative new musical that explores the nature of truth, and how it is altered by perspective.
From medieval Japan where two lovers seek to escape a doomed relationship, to modern day New York where a priest is wrestling with his faith, See What I Wanna See weaves together three remarkable stories of lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption, where truth and lies have become entangled.
Michael John LaChiusa’s beautiful and unexpected music blends a plethora of influences from jazz and salsa to classical and pop into a fluid, cinematic score. See What I Wanna See is a fiercely intelligent, heartfelt piece of theatre that asks: how pure can the truth ever be?
See What I Wanna See was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine, and was nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. The show premiered at New York’s Public Theatre in 2005, where it starred Idina Menzel in her first role following her Tony Award-winning performance originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked.
Michael John LaChiusa is a composer, lyricist and librettist, whose shows include The Wild Party, Hello Again, Marie Christine and Giant. He was nominated for four Tony Awards in the year 2000 for his score and book for both Marie Christine and The Wild Party.
See What I Wanna See will be directed by Adam Lenson, who is currently directing the 20th Anniversary revival of Songs For A New World at St. James Theatre starring Cynthia Erivo, Damian Humbley, Dean John-Wilson and Jenna Russell. Lenson also created the sell-out concert series West End Recast at the Phoenix and Duke of Yorks theatres and was associate director on the Olivier award-winning West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe, See What I Wanna See has musical direction by Richard Bates. Casting is still to be announced.
Tickets: £20 – £25 (previews £15); £18 Earlybird price if booked before August 10. To book, call the box office on 020 7287 2875 or visit www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3.30pm; extra matinee on Thursday, October 1.
Lesere, a gripping psychological thriller by Ashley G Holloway, continues at Jermyn Street Theatre until August 1, 2015. Read more about the venue’s new season.