THE LIFE OF THE PARTY to Celebrate Songs of Andrew Lippa at the Menier Chocolate Factory, 27 May - 14 June

The Chocolate Factory is delighted to invite you to The Life of the Party - A Celebration of the Songs of Andrew Lippa, a spectacular evening with one of Broadway's most exciting composers and lyricists. It takes place 27 May - 14 June 2014 at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Accompanied by Caroline O'Connor, Damian Humbley and Summer Strallen, Andrew Lippa hosts a unique concert performance of his songs from some of his most successful shows including John & Jen, The Wild Party, The Addams Family, Big Fish and his brand-new oratorio I Am Harvey Milk. Expect some surprises as Andrew and the cast explore these stories and characters, sharing their journeys in this funny, poignant and joyous musical celebration.

Born in Leeds, Andrew Lippa's Broadway credits include Big Fish, The Addams Family and the score for The Farnsworth Invention (written by Aaron Sorkin). He also contributed three new songs and all new arrangements for the 1999 production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In 2000 his musical The Wild Party (Manhattan Theater Club) won the Outer Critics Circle award for best Off-Broadway musical and the 2000 Drama Desk Award for best music. In addition he wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book with Tom Greenwald for John & Jen (The Lambs Theater) and wrote the music for A Little Princess (Theaterworks, Palo Alto). His oratorio I Am Harvey Milk was premiered by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the recording, released in October 2013, reaching number two on the iTunes Classical Chart. I Am Harvey Milk will be seen at LA's Disney Hall in July and in NYC later this year. Andrew has also been musical director for Kristin Chenoweth since 1999, playing and conducting her sold-out shows in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and London.

Caroline O'Connor is a multi award-winning singer/dancer/actress who performs all over the world. She returns to the UK after starring in A Christmas Story on Broadway. As a leading lady, her most recent credits include Rose in Gypsy (Curve, Leicester), Phyllis in Follies (Chicago) and Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Le Châtelet). She was last seen in London in The Showgirl Within (Garrick) and was Olivier nominated for her West End roles in Mack & Mabel (Piccadilly - Best Actress in a Musical) and Bombshells (Arts - Best Actress). She appeared as Nini in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge.

Damian Humbley played Charley Kringas at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the Harold Pinter Theatre in the Olivier-nominated Merrily We Roll Along. He also played Jamie in The Last Five Years at the Chocolate Factory and Seymour in the UK tour of the Chocolate Factory's production of Little Shop of Horrors. His other theatre credits include Putting It Together (St James Theatre), Dickens Abridged (Arts), Company (Sheffield Theatres) and Lend Me a Tenor - the Musical (Gielgud).

Summer Strallen has been Olivier nominated four times, most recently in 2013 for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Top Hat (national tour & Aldwych). Other theatre includes Love Never Dies (Adelphi - Olivier nomination Best Supporting Role in a Musical), Company (Queen's), The Sound of Music (Palladium), The Drowsy Chaperone (Novello - Olivier nomination Best Actress in a Musical), The Boyfriend (Regent's Park - Olivier nomination Best Supporting Role in a Musical), Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Palladium), Cats and Fosse (both international tours).

Design is by Morgan Large - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Novello); Othello (Sheffield Theatres). Morgan designed the Olivier Awards from 2006 to 2013.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, 14 April.

The Life of the Party - A Celebration of the Songs of Andrew Lippa

Venue: Menier Chocolate Factory

Address: 53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Dates: 27th May - 14th June

Press Night: Friday 30th May, 8pm

Times: Tue - Sat 8pm, matinees Sat and Sun 3.30pm

Ticket Prices:

Until 30th April: standard seats £25 / premier seats £30 / meal deals* £33.00

1st May - 27th May: standard £27.50 / premier seats £35 / meal deals* £35.50

28th May onwards: standard £29.50 / premier seats £35 / meal deals* £37.50

*A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

Concessions & Groups 8+ £25 - call Box Office for booking & full information

Telephone booking: 020 7378 1713 (£2 transaction fee per booking)

Opening: 09:00 - 22:00 Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 22:00 Sat, 12:00 - 18:00 Sun

Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1 transaction fee per booking)

Restaurant: 020 7407 4411

Transport: London Bridge Tube, Borough High Street exit, RV1 and 381 buses