Waddingham Leads Cast In BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER Reading, Directed By Jerry Mitchell

By: Dec. 04, 2013
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But I'm a Cheerleader: The Musical, with book and lyrics by Bill Augustin and music by Andrew Abrams, based on the 1999 Lionsgate cult motion picture, will receive its first London presentation in the form of an exploratory reading on Friday 6 December 2013 directed by Jerry Mitchell, it was announced today.

But I'm A Cheerleader: The Musical is the story of Megan, an all-American high school cheerleader who seems to have it all; she's popular, pretty, intelligent, has a football player boyfriend and lives the perfect high school life. But that's all about to change! Her friends and family suspect Megan is a lesbian, and after staging an intervention, send her packing to the 'True Directions' rehabilitation camp to put her on the straight and narrow. Here, under the strict tutelage of headmistress Mary Brown, Megan meets Graham, a sexy tomboy who shows her exactly what her 'true direction' is. Hilarious, cheeky and one of a kind, But I'm A Cheerleader: The Musical is a quirky coming-of-age comedy about sexual awakening and staying true to who you are.

The London reading will be led by Tony Award® Nominated Director and Winning ChoreographerJerry Mitchell, whose recent work includes the Broadway productions of Kinky Boots (Tony Award Winner for Best Choreography), La Cage aux Folles (Tony Award Winner for Best Choreography), Legally Blonde and Hairspray. Jerry will also direct and choreograph the forthcoming West End production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Jerry Mitchell said today: "But I'm a Cheerleader is an important, fun and infectious new musical about being who you are and never being afraid of that truth. I can't wait to tell this story."

The London reading cast features 3-time Olivier Award-nominee Hannah Waddingham (A Little Night Music, The Wizard of Oz and Spamalot, West End), Bronté Barbé (Hairspray, Kuala Lumpur), Maria Coyne (The Rocky Horror Show, UK Tour), Andy Conaghan (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, West End), Emma Bateman (Legally Blonde, West End), Adrian Hansel (Hairspray, West End), Shaun Rennie (Cats, International Tour), Philip Labey (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Kensington Gardens), Carly Mercedes Dyer (Rock of Ages, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage and Chicago, West End), Ian Knauer (Mamma Mia!, Broadway), Nicolas Colicos (The Bodyguard and Sister Act, West End), Michael O'Connor (Once, West End), Helen Walsh (Candide, The Menier Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music, Regents Park), Jamie Ward (LES MISERABLES, West End), Gary Wood (A Chorus Line and Wicked,West End), Ricky Schroeder (Naked Boys Singing, Off-Broadway), Belinda Wollaston (Jekyll and Hyde,International Tour, Dr Zhivago, Australia), Charlotte Harwood (Loserville, Legally Blonde and Flashdance, West End), Michelle Francis (Wicked and Shrek, West End), Jamie Muscato (The Light Princess, National Theatre and Rock of Ages, West End) and Caroline Rodgers (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Broadway Theatre, London).

The 1999 Lionsgate motion picture had a story by Jamie Babbit, a screenplay by Brian Wayne Peterson and was directed by Jamie Babbit. The cast featured RuPaul Charles, Clea DuVall,Natasha Lyonne, Cathy Moriarty, and Michele Williams.

But I'm A Cheerleader: The Musical has a book and lyrics by Bill Augustin, music by Andrew Abrams and is produced, by special arrangement with Lionsgate®, by Crow and Elk Productions and Adam Bialow, producer and Lionsgate's Consultant for Theatrical Stage Productions. The London reading will feature musical direction by Richard John.

A developmental workshop of the musical had a sold-out run at New York Musical Theatre Festival,receiving rave reviews from critics and the Audience Award for Best New Musical.

Crow and Elk Productions said today: "Bill Augustin's book and Andrew Abrams's score have captured an energetic, and hilariously beautiful story that needs to be shared, and we are honoured to have the opportunity to produce this musical."

Additionally Crow and Elk Productions said "Adam Bialow has and continues to champion Bill Augustin and Andy Abrams' musical reworking of the cult film But I'm A Cheerleader. Bialow has been involved in the musical's development since its birth at New York Musical Theatre Festival and has been integral to the process of bringing But I'm A Cheerleader: The Musical to London."

"I have been a tremendous fan of this property for many years, because it has always defined the quirky, provocative and highly original sensibility that lies at the heart of the Lionsgate brand," said Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns.



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