The 2018 Broadway musical Head Over Heels, featuring a score by the all-female '80s rock band The Go-Go鈥檚, make its European premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, officially opening February 1 following previews that began January 26.
Directed and choreographed by Tom Jackson Greaves, performances continue through March 4.
The company features Luke Bayer as Musidorus, Iz Hesketh as Pythio, Jenny O鈥橪eary as Pamela, Daniel Page as Dametas, Maiya Quansah Breed as Philoclea, Khadija Sallet as Mopsa, Julie Stark as Gynecia, and Fed Zanni as Basilius.
The ensemble includes Alison Driver, Samuel Routley, Marina Tavolieri, and Timo Tatzber.
Head Over Heels offers an updated take on Philip Sidney鈥檚 Arcadia, rife with dramatic irony, comical courtship, and mistaken identity. James Magruder is the writer of the stage adaptation, based on an original book by Avenue Q Tony winner Jeff Whitty for the musical's 2015 premiere at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Head Over Heels includes numerous hits by The Go Go鈥檚 (Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin), including 鈥淲e Got the Beat,鈥� 鈥淕et Up and Go,鈥� 鈥淐ool Jerk,鈥� 鈥淰acation,鈥� 鈥淥ur Lips Are Sealed,鈥� 鈥淟ust to Love,鈥� 鈥淗ead Over Heels,鈥� as well as Carlisle鈥檚 solo hits 鈥淢ad About You鈥� and 鈥淗eaven Is a Place on Earth.鈥�
Director Greaves said in an earlier statement, 鈥�Head Over Heels has been on my radar since its inception. Its color, pride, and joy, combined with the music of The Go-Go鈥檚, is a delicious recipe. There are very few new musicals that excite me as much鈥攆rom its portrayal of queer experiences to its comment on the patriarchy, with its mounds of silliness鈥攖he piece is a breath of fresh air within the art form. It鈥檚 a rebellion against the confines of history. It鈥檚 a celebration of uniqueness. It鈥檚 the perfect antidote (and in some ways challenge) to the world's darkness in 2022, and I couldn鈥檛 be more excited to share it with Manchester.鈥�
The production also has music direction by Arelene McNaught, set and costume design by Sophia Pardon, lighting design by Jamie Platt, and casting by Lucy Casson.
Gartland Productions and Chris Maguire produce.
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