Photo Flash: Samantha Barks Poses for AMELIE Promotional Pic!

Berkeley Rep will soon present its 2015-16 season opener Amélie, A New Musical, starring award-winning actress Samantha Barks. Below, check out a just-released promotional image of Barks as the title character!

Amélie captured our hearts in the five-time Academy Award-nominated 2001 French film. Now she comes to the stage in an inventive and captivating new musical directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon, who is known for her work on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Clybourne Park. With a book by Craig Lucas (An American in Paris, Prelude to Kiss), the musical features a stirring score by Daniel Messé of the band Hem and lyrics by Messé and Nathan Tysen (The Burnt Part Boys). Amélie, A New Musical is produced by special arrangement with Aaron Harnick, Triptyck Studios, and SBR Productions.

The theatrical world premiere presentation of Amélie, A New Musical begins previews Friday, August 28, opens on Friday, September 11, and runs through Sunday, October 4, 2015. Press night for Amélie will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has grown from a storefront stage to an international leader in innovative theatre. Known for its core values of imagination and excellence, as well as its educated and adventurous audience, the nonprofit has provided a welcoming home for emerging and established artists since 1968. In four decades, four million people have enjoyed nearly 400 shows at Berkeley Rep. These shows have gone on to win five Tony Awards, seven Obie Awards, nine Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy Award, and many other honors. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. Its bustling facilities - which include the 400-seat Thrust Stage, the 600-seat Roda Theatre, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, the Osher Studio, and a spacious new campus in West Berkeley - are helping revitalize a renowned city. Learn more at berkeleyrep.org.