Opening Night (musical)

Opening Night
A New Musical
West End Promotional Poster
MusicRufus Wainwright
LyricsRufus Wainwright
BookIvo van Hove
BasisOpening Night
by John Cassavetes
Premiere6 March 2024 (2024-03-06): Gielgud Theatre, London
Productions2024 West End

Opening Night is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright and conceived and book by Ivo van Hove. It is based on the 1977 film of the same name by John Cassavetes, which van Hove has also previously adapted as a play in 2005.[citation needed]

Production history

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West End (2024)

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On 13 November 2023, it was announced that the musical is scheduled to have its world premiere at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End with Sheridan Smith as Myrtle. The show began previews on 6 March 2024. Van Hove directs with Jan Versweyveld designing set, lighting and video.[1][2][3] Further casting was announced on 14 December 2023 including Nicola Hughes as Sarah, Benjamin Walker as Maurice, Amy Lennox as Dorothee, Shira Haas as Nancy, Hadley Fraser as Manny and John Marquez as David.[4] One of the scenes takes place in the street outside the theatre with the scene being shown on screens to the audience inside.[5]

Originally scheduled to run through 27 July, the show closed on 18 May, 2024.[6] Although Smith's performance was widely praised, the show received mixed to negative reviews.[7]

Cast and characters

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Characters West End[8]
2024
Myrtle Sheridan Smith
Sarah Nicola Hughes
Maurice Benjamin Walker
Dorothee Amy Lennox
Nancy Shira Haas
Manny Hadley Fraser
David John Marquez
Kelly Rebecca Thornhill
Carla Cilla Sylvia
Leo Ian Mclarnon
Gus Jos Slovick

References

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  1. ^ Wiegand, Chris (2023-11-10). "Sheridan Smith to star in Rufus Wainwright musical Opening Night". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  2. ^ Riley, Kate (2023-11-10). "Sheridan Smith will star in new West End musical 'Opening Night'". London Theatre. Archived from the original on 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  3. ^ Lukowski, Andrzej (2023-11-13). "Sheridan Smith will return to the West End next year to star in new musical 'Opening Night'". Time Out London. Archived from the original on 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  4. ^ Rook, Olivia (2023-12-14). "Further casting announced for new West End musical 'Opening Night'". London Theatre. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  5. ^ "Sheridan Smith: Strangers hugged me in the street". BBC News. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  6. ^ Davies, Caroline (2024-04-11). "Opening Night starring Sheridan Smith to close two months early". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  7. ^ Bushby, Helen (11 April 2024). "Sheridan Smith's West End musical Opening Night to close early". BBC News. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Cast". Opening Night The Musical. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
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