Zoe Birkett, Marcus Collins and Clive Rowe Will Join Cedric Neal in PERSONALITY: The Lloyd Price Musical

Further casting has been set  for Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical. The new musical will be staged for two concert performances on Saturday 11 October (2.30pm and 7.30pm) at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Joining the previously announced Cedric Neal (Hadestown, The Voice UK – 2019 semi-finalist) as Lloyd Price are Craig Armstrong (Hello, Dolly!, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) as Levy, Zoe Birkett (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, Pop Idol – 2002 winning female contestant) as Rosetta Tharpe/Ma Nora/Erma Franklin, Marcus Collins (X Factor – 2011 runner up, Kinky Boots Original West End cast) as Little Richard/Sam Cooke, Matthew Goodgame (Mrs Doubtfire, BLITZ) as Art Rupe, Shem Omari James (Jesus Chris Superstar, Dreamgirls) as Young Lloyd, Aaron Lee Lambert (Evita, Hamilton) as Don Roby, Clive Rowe (Guys and Dolls – for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, The Addams Family) as Harold Logan and Vanessa Ela Young (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Drifters Girl) as Emma.

The ensemble cast is completed by Gibsa Bah (Disney's The Lion King), Alishia-Marie Blake (Hamilton), Darnell Mathew-James (MJ The Musical), Jamel Matthias (The Great Gatsby), Kenedy Small (SIX) as Na Naan/ensemble, Christopher Tendai (Matilda: The Musical), Grace Wylde (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and Pelé Yearwood (Disney's Hercules).

Following a critically acclaimed run in Chicago and showcase in London last year Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical makes its much-anticipated London stage debut.
 
The musical celebrates the life and career of Lloyd Price, known for hits like "Personality," "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," and "Stagger Lee". Price was a pioneering figure in rock 'n' roll, becoming the first teenager to sell over a million records and founding his own label. His music and influence transcended race, inspired generations, and reshaped popular culture, with legends like Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney recording his work.

Director Sheldon Epps commented:
“Almost everybody knows his music, but very few know his name. And even fewer know his story. PERSONALITY brings both to the stage, introducing the man who changed the world through his songs. He is a true unsung hero who influenced many generations on his own and touched the lives of many other great entertainers during his remarkable decades long career. It has been a great honor to bring his story to the stage, and audiences have responded with gratitude, enthusiasm and the desire to know even more about this wonderful artist.”

Book Writer and Lead Producer B. Jeffrey Madoff added:
“Lloyd and I met through a mutual friend who saw our immediate connection and asked me to produce a documentary about Lloyd's life. I loved his music but knew nothing about the man behind it. As I got to know more about him, I discovered a fascinating life that nobody knew about. It was a story that was important to tell, and it needed the intimacy and energy that only live theatre can deliver. It had to be completely honest, showing both triumphs and struggles. When I told Lloyd I wanted to write a play about his life, he simply said, "The truth needs no defense. Tell the story." Personality is the untold story about an unsung hero”

B. Jeffrey Madoff (Book Writer and Lead Producer), with Music & Lyrics by Lloyd Price, and Sheldon Epps (Director) are joined on the creative team by Edgar Godineaux (Choreography) and Shelton Becton (Musical Supervisor). UK Casting is by Pearson Casting.