Merman’s Apprentice to play at the Landor Theatre Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 February as part of the 2014 From Page To Stage Festival
A new musical with Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole and Music by David Evans
West End and Broadway actress Kim Criswell will play Ethel Merman. Kim spent many years on Broadway (Baby, Nine, The Threepenny Opera) and in L.A (Cats), before crossing the Atlantic in 1992 when she was invited to play the title role in Annie Get Your Gun, establishing herself at the heart of London’s Musical Theatre scene.
The cast also features:
Olivia Hallett
John Guerrasio
Nigel Richards
David Burt
Elizabeth Seal (Tony Award Winner, Irma La Douce)
Ted Merwood
Ben Stock
Daniel Cane
Thomas Sutcliffe
Lindsey Nicholls
Kimberley Moses
1970. The Golden Age of Musical Theatre is drawing to an end. But twelve-year-old Muriel Plakenstein doesn’t know that. So she runs away from home to become a Broadway star, and meets the Queen of Broadway Ethel Merman, who takes her to a Hello, Dolly! rehearsal where they sing together. When legendary producer David Merrick hears the kid, he decides to star Muriel in the first all-child cast of Dolly! Naturally, Merman takes her under wing to teach her the ropes of being a star…making little Muriel Plakenstein Merman’s Apprentice.
Merman’s Apprentice is directed by Stewart Nicholls with musical direction by Richard Healey.
From Page To Stage is a season of new musical theatre dedicated to the showcasing of work in development to an audience, to garner feedback and create new opportunities for the artistes involved. The 2014 season was selected from an open application process which saw 120 musicals submitted, and presents a mixed programme of work at various stages of development from rehearsed readings to fully staged productions, as well as a selection of platform and scratch events aimed at inspiring discussion about the future of musical theatre on a local, national and international level. Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, From Page To Stage has also been awarded an Arts Council grant to support the 2014 programme of work.
Tickets: £10 – £15
For more information and to book tickets www.frompage2stage.com
