Theatre News

Casting announced for On The Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Drew McOnie directs the first production of the theatre’s 2017 season

Danny Mac, Jeremy Taylor and Lizzy Connolly
Danny Mac, Jeremy Taylor and Lizzy Connolly
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Casting has been announced for the opening production of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 2017 season, On the Town.

Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, the musical is about three sailors on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City. With a score by Leonard Bernstein, it was first seen on Broadway in 1944 before being made into a film five years later.

Danny Mac (Hollyoaks, Wicked) will play one of three sailors, Gabey. Last year's Strictly Come Dancing finalist was due to appear in a new musical based on the film Sleepless in Seattle until it was postponed last month.

The other two sailors will be played by Jeremy Taylor (Wicked) and Fred Haig. In the film version, the three sailors were played by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin.

The roles of Ivy, Hildy and Claire will be played by Siena Kelly, Miriam-Teak Lee and Lizzy Connolly, who is currently appearing in The Wild Party at The Other Palace.

Maggie Steed will play Madame Dilly, Naoko Mori will play Lucy Schmeeler and the role of the Workman will be played by Rodney Earl Clarke. Mark Heenehan plays Judge Pitkin.

The cast is completed by Michelle Andrews, Myles Brown, Matthew Caputo, Edward Chitticks, Lavinia Fitzpatrick, Cristina Hoey, James Leece, Jacob Maynard, Rachel Muldoon, Melissa Nettleford, Emily Ann Potter, Mollie Melia Redgrave, Lisa Ritchie, Barnaby Thompson, Sam Salter and Brandon Lee Sears.

On the Town will run at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 25 May to 1 July, with previews from 19 May.