Graham Bickley, Sophie-Louise Dann & More Set for New Version of CLOSER THAN EVER at Jermyn Street Theatre

Olivier Award nominees, Graham Bickley (Ragtime, Miss Saigon, Follies) Sophie-Louise Dann (Lend Me a Tenor, Sunday in The Park With George, Gay's The Word) and Issy van Randwyck (Fascinating Aïda, Kiss Me Kate, A Little Night Music) join West End lead Arvid Larsen (Eurobeat, Jesus Christ Superstar) in the new version of Closer Than Ever, the legendary musical by Richard Maltby, Jr and David Shire. This revised version of the Off-Broadway hit receives its European premiere in a brand new production directed by Tony Award winning Maltby himself (Miss Saigon, Starting Here Starting Now, Ain't Misbehavin').

Closer Than Ever is a roller-coaster ride of modern day manners with a focus on the ups and downs of love. From unrequited adoration to aging, from just-mates to marriage rites, from parenting to passing, each song is a different story told by a different character, a journey into the mind of an individual as he or she faces what it is to be human, to love, to lose, to triumph and to love again, all set to tuneful music and smart lyrics.

The original version of Closer Than Ever premiered at the Off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre in 1989 where it became an instant hit, running for over 300 performances. With numerous revivals it has become an international phenomenon and its musical numbers have entered into the American modern-day standard repertoire. With new songs added, this revised version, directed by Maltby, opened at the York Theatre in New York in 2012, where it ran from June to November, receiving unanimous critical acclaim. Now Maltby directs a new production with some of the biggest names in UK musical theatre for its European premiere.

The prduction runs 6 May - 7 June 2014 at the Jermyn Street Theatre (Press Night 8 May 7.30pm). For additional information, visit: www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk