Kelsey Grammer to play lead in Big Fish the Musical

Kelsey Grammer will star as Edward Bloom in a new production of John August and Andrew Lippa’s Big Fish the Musical.

Grammer is best-known for playing Dr. Frasier Crane in the NBC sitcoms Cheers and Frasier for which he won five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe awards. In 2010 Grammer made his Broadway musical debut playing the lead role of Georges in La Cage Aux Folles, winning a Tony Award nomination.

Big Fish is based on the novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace and the Tim Burton film, this new production will be the London premiere of the musical and also marks Grammer’s debut on the London stage. The score is by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family) and book by John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), who also adapted the book for the film .

Joining Grammer will be Matt Seadon-Young (Les Misérables) as Will Bloom, Frances McNamee (Little Shop of Horrors) as Josephine Bloom, Forbes Masson (Travesties) as Amos/Don, Jamie Muscato (Lazarus) as Edward, Laura Baldwin (Shrek) as Sandra, Landi Oshinowo (Shrek) as Witch/Jenny Hill, Dean Nolan (Fiddler on the Roof) as Karl, and George Ure (Sweeney Todd) as Zaki. They are joined by Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked), Gemma McMeel (Titanic) and Jonathan Stewart (Guys and Dolls).

Big Fish the Musical will be directed by Nigel Harman, director of the upcoming tour of Shrek The Musical. Harman said "When I first encountered the piece I was struck by its depth of humanity and its zest for life. A story that celebrates life in all of its wonders and despairs. It has been wonderful to revisit the music, book and lyrics with John and Andrew."

The story of Big Fish revolves around Edward Bloom, a man who is nearing the end of his life and recounts the most extraordinary tales of his adventures to his disbelieving son. Tickets for Big Fish the Musical go on sale 31 July.

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Big Fish the Musical will play at The Other Palace from 1 November to 31 December.