Anna-Jane Casey Replaces Joanna Riding to Headline Not(es) from New York on March 19

Anna-Jane Casey will now headline the cast of Not(es) from New York at the Duchess Theatre on Sunday 19 March, alongside Dougal Irvine, Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer. Casey, who has recently won rave reviews for her performance as Dot in the revival of Sunday in the Park with George, replaces Joanna Riding who has reluctantly been forced to withdraw from her role due to unforeseen personal circumstances.

Following a year-long absence, the West End's first and only platform for contemporary musical theatre returns with an unexpectedly British twist. Anna-Jane Casey, recently described by The Guardian as "one of the best musical theatre actresses around" and fellow West End regular Dougal Irvine join series stalwarts Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer in Not(es) from New York, a one-off show focusing on songs by a duo of London based composers, at the Duchess Theatre on Sunday 19 March 2006.

Featuring a selection of songs by the critically acclaimed Charles Miller (Build Me a Bridge, No One in the World, Brenda Bly: Teen Detective) alongside the music of Grant Olding (Three Sides, A Celebrity Chef Ate My Hamster, Spittin' Distance), Not(es) from New York is a unique and exciting opportunity to discover the work of two burgeoning musical theatre talents, both of whom are receiving their West End première in this production.

Charles Miller is currently Composer in Residence at the London School of Musical Theatre, whilst Grant Olding, who has written the score for Nicholas Hytner's production of Southwark Fair, which received its world première at The National Theatre last month, was Composer in Residence at the Bridewell Theatre until its recent closure. In a show celebrating Englishness and all its eccentricities, Not(es) from New York features a veritable variety of premières from a panoply of undiscovered and unperformed scores.

One of the West End's most sought-after leading ladies, Anna-Jane Casey is currently headlining the acclaimed revival of Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory, for which she has won rave reviews. Her previous credits include lead roles in shows such as Chicago, West Side Story and Sweet Charity. Dougal Irvine is best known for his portrayal of Mark in the West End production of Jonathan Larson's hit musical Rent, with other credits including Summer Holiday, Singin' in the Rain, Miss Saigon and Assassins.

Julie Atherton will soon play Kate Monster in the West End première of Broadway hit Avenue Q, having previously played Serena in Fame and Sophie in Mamma Mia. Paul Spicer, whose credits include lead roles in The Witches of Eastwick, Fame and Taboo, returns to the West End fresh from the UK tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, prior to which he was seen by millions as the young guy playing strip poker in the video to Uniting Nations' top ten hit single Out of Touch. Both Julie and Paul, who have a reputation as two of the UK's hottest young musical theatre stars, return by popular demand.

Launched in 2003 to present a selection of brand new US musical theatre work in the West End for the very first time, Notes from New York has since developed a cult following and enjoyed a succession of sell-out shows at the Arts Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Trafalgar Studios. This one-off British edition reunites the critically acclaimed creative team behind the original shows and refocuses our attention on talent this side of the pond.

Not(es) from New York is directed by David Randall, with associate direction and musical staging by co-founder of the series, Paul Spicer. Piano accompaniment is by Mark Collins.

NOT(ES) FROM NEW YORK
Sunday 19 March 2006
Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street, London WC2
Box Office: 0870 890 1103 (24hrs)
Tickets: £11.00 - £30.00
www.notesfromnewyork.co.uk