Barry Manilow musical Copacabana tours UK starring Jon Lee

Barry Manilow musical Copacabana will tour the UK in a new production later this year.

Written by Manilow and his longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, the show has not been seen in the UK for ten years.

Directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic), it will open at Harlow Playhouse on 2 October 2014.

The cast will be led by Jon Lee (Jersey Boys, Les Miserables) as Tony Starr and Richard Grieve (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Sam Silver. This production introduces Jennifer Harding as Lola.

Manilow said today: "I'm honored that Copacabana will return to the UK Stage and send my wishes for success to Jon, Richard, and the entire company."

Copacabana features Manilow hits including "Dancin' Fool", "Who Needs to Dream", "Welcome to Havana" and of course, the Grammy Award-winning title song.

It started life as a made-for-television musical starring Manilow, which was then expanded into a full-length stage musical that ran at the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre for two years (1994-96) prior to a lengthy UK Tour.

According to press material: "Packed with original songs, dazzling costumes and dynamic choreography, this new production will reimagine the original stage version of Copacabana, which was first performed in the US in 1991 and has never before been seen in the UK."

Copacabana features choreography by Tim Jackson, musical direction by Lee Freeman, lighting design by Tom Boucher and wig design by Sam Cox. It is produced by Antony Stuart-Hicks and Paul Leno for Dancing Fool Theatrical Ltd in association with Harlow Playhouse.

The tour will visit:

Harlow Playhouse (2-4 October)
Southsea Kings Theatre (6-11 October)
Buxton Opera House (15-18 October)
Jersey Opera House (21-24 October)
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre (27 October-1 November)
Newcastle Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre (3-7 November)
Blackpool Grand Theatre (10-15 November)
Billingham Forum Theatre (17-22 November)

Further dates to be announced