Gossip

Jerry Mitchell brings musical adaptation of But I'm A Cheerleader to London?

The ”Kinky Boots” choreographer and ”Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” director is directing a showcase reading of a new musical adaptation of the 1999 fillm

Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell could be aiming to score a hat-trick in the West End, as he directs a showcase reading of a new musical adaptation of 1999 film But I'm A Cheerleader.

Mitchell, whose Kinky Boots is rumoured to be heading to the West End, is also directing next year's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre.

The showcase reading of But I'm A Cheerleader, which has book and lyrics by Bill Augustin and music by Andrew Abrams will take place this Friday 6 December (at the same time as our WhatsOnStage Awards Launch Party!) and marks the first London presentation of the show.

Based on the 1999 Lionsgate cult motion picture, But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical is the story of Megan, an all-American high school cheerleader who seems to have it all. But that’s all about to change! Her friends and family suspect Megan is a lesbian, and after staging an intervention, send her packing to the ‘True Directions’ rehabilitation camp to put her on the straight and narrow. It is billed as "a quirky coming-of-age comedy about sexual awakening and staying true to who you are".

A developmental workshop of the musical had a sold-out run at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, receiving the Audience Award for Best New Musical.

The London reading cast features 3-time Olivier Award-nominee Hannah Waddingham (A Little Night Music, The Wizard of Oz, Spamalot), Bronté Barbé (Hairspray), Maria Coyne, Andy Conaghan, Emma Bateman, Adrian Hansel, Shaun Rennie, Philip Labey, Carly MMercedes Dyer, Ian Knauer, Nicolas Colicos, Michael O'Connor, Helen Walsh, Jamie Ward, Gary Wood, Ricky Schroeder, Belinda Wollaston, Charlotte Harwood, Michelle Francis, Jamie Muscato and Caroline Rodgers.

Jerry Mitchell said today: "But I’m a Cheerleader is an important, fun and infectious new musical about being who you are and never being afraid of that truth. I can’t wait to tell this story."