Chambers Leads BIG: THE MUSICAL UK Premiere in 2011

The European premiere of the Broadway show BIG - THE MUSICAL will star Tom Chambers, winner of BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing, and star of Holby City and Waterloo Road, in the role made famous by Tom Hanks in the original feature film.

When frustrated adolescent Josh Baskin wishes he were "big" and wakes up the next morning a 30 year-old man, he discovers there's much more to being an adult than he had bargained for, and learns that we must all grow up at our own pace, in our own time.

Based on the smash-hit feature film, Big, which was recently named by The Times as one of the Top Ten Family Films of All Time, BIG THE MUSICAL will be directed by Ian Talbot, former Artistic Director of the Open Air Theatre, Regents Park. The production will premiere on February 14th 2011 at the Liverpool Empire.

The production's creative team will include some of the most respected and admired names in musical theatre, with a book by John Weidman (Pacific Overtures; Assassins) and a score by Oscar-winning composer David Shire (Starting Here, Starting Now; Closer Than Ever) and Tony Award-winning writer and director Richard Maltby, Jr (Miss Saigon; Baby; Miss Potter).

BIG THE MUSICAL originally opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1996, and was nominated for five Tony Awards (Best Actress, Supporting Actor, Book, Score, and Choreography) and 10 Drama Desk awards.

Producers James Milton and Paul Morrissey, of Milton Morrissey Ltd, said: "At its heart, BIG is a New York fairytale about the trials and triumphs of growing up. Tom Hanks captured the hearts of a generation in his Oscar nominated performance in the film, and now Tom Chambers will do the same for a brand new generation of theatre goers. It's a story that continues to enchant, and we're thrilled to be working with such a phenomenal team, to bring it to the stage."

Tom Chambers said: "BIG The Musical is quite literally the most exciting and the biggest challenge I've ever been given. The film is iconic and universally loved and I will do my all to make it as entertaining and fun for the audience as Tom Hanks so effortlessly made it."

Tom Chambers is perhaps best known as the winner of last year's Strictly Come Dancing. He is also a highly accomplished TV actor appearing regularly in Waterloo Road and Holby City, Elizabeth and The Virgin Queen. On stage he has performed at the Lyric Hammersmith, The Young Vic, in New York and in numerous regional touring venues.

Richard Maltby and David Shire have written many shows together including Closer Than Ever; Starting Here, Starting Now and Baby. Individually, David Shire is an Oscar-winning film score composer (All The President's Men, Norma Rae and, most recently, Zodiac). Richard Maltby wrote the lyrics for Miss Saigon and devised and directed Ain't Misbehavin' (Tony Award - Best Director) and Fosse.

John Weidman is a long-time Sondheim collaborator, having written the book for Assassins, Pacific Overtures and Bounce.

BIG THE MUSICAL will begin previews at the Liverpool Empire on 18th February, before embarking on a national tour.

Further casting to be announced.

For further information please contact Chloe Pritchard-Gordon at The Corner Shop PR on 020 7494 3665 or email chloe@thecornershoppr.com