“The One and Only” Hawkes makes Manilow music
August 1, 2008
Pop singer Chesney Hawkes (pictured), best known for his 1991 chart-topping single “The One and Only”, will make his musical theatre debut in Barry Manilow’s Can’t Smile Without You. He co-stars with How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? finalist Siobhan Dillon in the new compilation musical, which premieres on 28 August 2008 at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre where it continues until 6 September ahead of a three-month regional tour including Newcastle and a planned West End transfer next year
Can’t Smile Without You revolves around an aspiring young band who, on a visit to New York, come across an opportunity not to be missed - auditions for the latest reality TV show to find the next pop sensation. When the TV company offers lead singer Tony (Hawkes) a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their blessing. But before Tony can realise his dream, he’s caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leaves him fighting for his life. Left with no memory, his dreams are all but shattered. His only hope lies in the power of the music he loves and his feelings for a girl he once knew called Mandy (Dillon).
Chesney Hawkes made his stage debut last year in the Dick Whittington pantomime at The Lowry in Salford. Following her own reality TV success on BBC One’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, on which she was a second runner-up, Siobhan Dillon made her West End debut last summer playing Patty Simcox in Grease (See News, 24 May 2007).
Can’t Smile Without You has a book by Tim Prager based on an original idea by Bill Kenwright, who also produces the show and co-directs it with Keith Strachan. The production is designed by Andy Walmsley with lighting by Ben Cracknel, choreography by Carole Todd and musical direction by John Maher.
American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. At the height of his success in the late 1970s, he had five albums on the best-seller charts in the US. His many easy-listening singles include “I Write the Songs”, “Mandy”, “Looks Like We Made It”, “Weekend in New England”, “Ready to Take a Chance Again”, “I Made It Through the Rain”, “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Copacabana”.
The last song was so popular that its story – about showgirl Lola and her jealous lover Tony – was made into a movie musical, which was aired in the US in 1985, starring Manilow himself as Tony. Following a shorter stage rendition in Las Vegas, Copacabana premiered as a full-length stage musical in 1994, running for more than a year at the West End’s Prince of Wales Theatre. It was revived for a UK regional tour five years ago (See News, 24 Jul 2003).
The new musical features more than 30 Manilow songs and is endorsed by Manilow and his music executive Garry Kief. Following Bromley, Can’t Smile Without You tours to Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Northampton, Stoke and Newcastle, with further dates to be announced. A London venue and dates have not yet been confirmed.
Comments
One Response to ““The One and Only” Hawkes makes Manilow music”
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites
i love you music but my best is the one and only