Steel Pier at the Union Theatre

[bob8rich]

Rehearsals began today for Kander & Ebb's Steel Pier, which will run at the Union Theatre from October 31 to November 24. LOVE this show. VERY excited about seeing this (already booked!)

I've not seen an announcement about the full casting but the lead role of Rita will be played by Sarah Galbraith (Phantom on Broadway, US tour, Las Vegas; The Little Mermaid US tour). And Precious will be played by the lovely and amazing Lisa-Anne Wood (recently Cosette in Les Mis).

[hotjohn]

I just designed the poster!

[bob8rich]

The poster looks fab!

Having heard the awesome Sarah Galbraith perform last night at Giggin4Good at the Actors' Church (stunning performances of I'd Give It All For You from Songs For A New World & Summer In Ohio from The Last 5 Years), I am now even more excited about seeing Steel Pier next month! She is going to be amazing as Rita.

[FrontRowDress]

The Union has been totally transformed into the Steel Pier. Sarah Galbraith gives a beautfifully understated performance as Rita, but for me Aimie Atkinson steals the evening as Shelby. Beathtaking dance routines and a great band. Not really one of Kander & Ebb's finest but more than worth the trip to south London.
Steel Pier

[mallardo]

I agree with you, FrontRowDress, about Aimie Atkinson stealing the show - even though she lost her wonderful 2nd act song Somebody Older, probably because she isn't old enough to make it work. Another song inexplicably cut was Dance With Me/The Last Girl, a great trio number for the three protagonists. Ah, well.

I rate this show a lot higher than many people do and I wasn't let down by this production which really captured the spirit of the piece and featured some amazing dancing from a fine young cast. I liked Sarah Galbraith as Rita and Ian Knauer as the oily Mick Hamilton but Jay Rincon was just not vocally strong enough to do justice to Billy's songs, the iconic First You Dream especially.

Still, another fun night at the Union. Next up there is Once Upon a Mattress!

[bob8rich]

Saw Steel Pier on Tuesday Nov 13 - headed over to NYC the following day so have not had a chance to post comments until now - but have to post about this as it was SO incredible!

I saw the show on Broadway and loved it - and this production did not in any way disappoint. Brilliantly directed and choreographed in the Union space and it has SO much energy throughout, while still finding the perfectly apposite pace for the more tender moments.

The performances were all superb, so in one sense it's hard to single anyone out. But Sarah Galbraith was just perfect as Rita and her vocals are seriously great. And Lisa-Anne Wood was absolutely fantastic as Precious (at least AS good as Kristin was on Broadway) - she was an amazing Cosette in Les Mis and in Steel Pier she shows that she's a wonderful actress as well as having one of the best voices in the West End.

This is THE best show I've seen in London in 2012. It closes tomorrow (Sat 24) - so if you haven't seen it and can still get a ticket, don't miss it!

[mrkringas]

Completely agree Bob. Really enjoyed this and didn't realise it had such a strong score. Well not as good as their other shows but even their average work is better than most.

I did have a chuckle at the "ooooooh" comments for the penultimate scene. Anything more would be a spoiler. Some people should really pay attention.