42nd Street musical set for West End return

Musical 42nd Street will open in the West End next year (17).
The show, which has a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music from Harry Warren and lyrics from Al Dubin, is an adaptation of the 1932 novel and the 1933 film of the same name.
Set in Depression-era New York, the story tells of a young performer, Peggy Sawyer, who gets a shot at stardom when her show’s leading lady is injured.
The new production, which will feature the hit songs We’re In The Money, Lullaby of Broadway and Shuffle Off To Buffalo begins previews on 20 March (17) at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and will have a cast of 50. It will be directed by Bramble, who has previously worked on musical productions of Barnum, Treasure Island and The Three Musketeers.
“The original production had the look of a Warner Brothers black and white film,” said Bramble in a statement. “This time we’re doing an MGM Technicolor version of 42nd Street with additional songs and dances.
“The theme of the show speaks louder today than ever before: follow your bliss and with talent and hard work dreams can come true.”
First staged on Broadway in 1980, 42nd Street was named Best Musical at the following year’s Tony Awards.
Its original London production, whose cast included a young Catherine Zeta-Jones, won the Olivier award for best musical in 1984.
The show follows the announcement that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will come to the end of its run at the Theatre Royal, and head out on a U.K. tour and Broadway run.
Casting for the West End production will be announced at a later date.