Exclusive: Stephen Schwartz's Working to get European premiere at Southwark Playhouse

Southwark Playhouse will host the European premiere of Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso's Working next year.

The musical from Academy Award-winner Schwartz, whose hits include Wicked and Godspell, is based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews with the American workforce.

Working features a range of musical styles and genres from contributing composers including Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights) and five-time Grammy Award-winner James Taylor. It first opened on Broadway in 1978 with Schwartz directing a cast including Patti LuPone.

The production, which runs at Southwark Playhouse from 7 June to 8 July with previews from 2 June, will be directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights) and choreographed by Fabian Aloise (Matilda). It is co-produced by Jack Maple and Ramin Sabi. Casting by Will Burton is yet to be announced.

Speaking exclusively to WhatsOnStage, Sheppard said: "It's an honour to have been charged with giving this unique musical a timely European premiere. It's quite unlike any other work in the genre, having constantly evolved against an ever-shifting political backdrop under the most extraordinary collaborators. Southwark Playhouse is the perfect space to bring our audience close to these real life characters."

Working will run at Southwark Playhouse from 7 June to 8 July 2017, with previews from 2 June.