Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the full cast for the UK and Ireland tour of “LOVE ME TENDER” – the new musical inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley.
Joining the previously announced Mica Paris as ‘Sylvia’ will be Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’ and Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ with Ben Lewis as ‘Chad’. The rest of the company includes: Mark Anderson as ‘Dennis’; Aretha Ayeh as ‘Lorraine’; Chris Howell as ‘Sheriff Earl’; Felix Mosse as ‘Dean’; Laura Tebbutt as ‘Natalie’; Kate Tydman as ‘Miss Sandra’; Sophie Ayres; Jamie Hughes-Ward; Will Jeffs; Jacob Maynard; Matthew McKenna; Elliot Powell; Stephanie Rojas; Ruthie Stephens; Paulo Teixeira; Lindsey Tierney; Sharon Wattis and T’Shan Williams.
The tour will open on Friday 5 June 2015 at the Manchester Opera House. Tour schedule below. www.LoveMeTenderMusical.com
Sian Reeves is best known for playing the role of Sydney Henshall in the BBC drama “Cutting It”, and for playing villain Sally Spode in “Emmerdale”. Her other TV credits include: “Holby City”, “Doctors” and “Where The Heart Is”. Her theatre credits include: “Vernon God Little” at The Young Vic, “Talk Of The City” and “The Merchant Of Venice” at the RSC, “West Side Story” on UK Tour and “Kiss Me Kate” at the RSC/Old Vic. Sian was in the original cast of “Les Misérables” at the Barbican and took over the role of ‘Cosette’ when it transferred to the Palace Theatre.
Shaun Williamson is best known to millions of TV viewers as Barry Evans in BBC1’s “EastEnders”. His other TV credits include “Extras” and “Life’s Too Short”. His theatre credits include “Anything Goes” on UK tour and “Saturday Night Fever” and “Guys and Dolls” in the West End and on UK tour. His film credits include: “Daylight Robbery” and the Ricky Gervais film “The Invention of Lying” alongside Stephen Merchant.
Ben Lewis has most recently been seen in “Forbidden Broadway” at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End. He originated the role of ‘The Phantom’ in “Love Never Dies” in his native Australia for which he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Award at the 2012 Sydney Theatre Awards. His other theatre credits include: “A Little Night Music”; “Spamalot”; “Urinetown” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. His TV credits include: “Doctors” and “McLeod’s Daughters” and “Carols by Candlelight” for Channel 9 Australia.
Mica Paris is one of the UK’s most respected female singers with a career of Top 10 hit singles and albums worldwide. In 1988 she released her debut, platinum-selling album, ‘So Good’ from which she had her first top ten hit, ‘My One Temptation’. More worldwide hit albums and singles followed including ‘Black Angel’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Carefree’. Mica has also turned her talents to the stage, appearing in the West End productions of ‘Mama I Want To Sing’, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and ‘Sweet Lorraine’ as well as a sell-out residency at Ronnie Scott’s Club. Her TV credits including being a regular host on BBC1’s ‘What Not to Wear’ and an expert judge on ‘Gok Wan’s Miss Naked Beauty’ for Channel 4.
From the producers of Hairspray, Jersey Boys and West Side Story “LOVE ME TENDER” is a hilarious feel-good musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. In a small town in 1950s America, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never.
Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, “LOVE ME TENDER”, by the writer of the award-wining West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
“LOVE ME TENDER” is Written by Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and Directed and Choreographed by Olivier Award Winner Karen Bruce (Saturday Night Fever, Dance ’Til Dawn, Pacific Overtures) with Set Design by award nominated Morgan Large (Flashdance, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), Lighting Design by James Whiteside (Never Forget, Footloose), Sound Design by Richard Brooker (Made in Dagenham, The Bodyguard), Costume Design by Vicky Gill (Dance ‘Til Dawn, Strictly Come Dancing) and Casting by James Orange (The Producers, Sweeney Todd).
