Matthew White is directs the Tony Award-winning musical Sweet Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Sweet Charity began previews from November 21st and opens tonight, December 2nd. The show runs through March 7th, 2010.
Joining Tamzin Outhwaite, who leads the cast as Charity Hope Valentine, are Rachael Archer, Jack Edwards, Josefina Gabrielle, Tiffany Graves, Richard Jones, Gemma Maclean, Paul J. Medford, Ebony Molina, Zak Nemorin, Richard Roe, Annalisa Rossi, Carl Sanderson, Mark Umbers, Jez Unwin and Jayde Westaby. With book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields; choreography is by Stephen Mear, set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Matthew Wright, musical supervision and direction by Nigel Lilley, orchestrations by Chris Walker, lighting by David Howe and sound design by Gareth Owen.
Sweet Charity follows the misadventures of love encountered by the gullible and guileless Charity Hope Valentine, a woman who always gives her heart and her dreams to the wrong man. Cy Coleman's score features favourite hits such as Hey, Big Spender; If My Friends Could See Me Now and The Rhythm of Life.
Originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 1966, where it ran for over 600 performances. The production won the Tony Award for Best Choreography in the same year. In 1967 the production opened in London at Prince of Wales Theatre, starring Juliet Prowse. The 1969 film version also directed and choreographed by Fosse, starred Shirley MacLaine and John McMartin. In 1986 the production was revived on Broadway winning four Tony Awards, and again in 2005 starring Christina Applegate.
Sweet Charity is based on the original screenplay for Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano.
Sweet Charity will run from December 2nd, 2009 through March 7th, 2010. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00p and Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm £29.50. For tickets and more information on meal deals call 0207 907 7060 or visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com. For the restaurant directly call 0207 407 4411.
Photo by Catherine Ashmore.
