Girl From the North Country, which made its world premiere at the Old Vic in 2017, will return to the London venue this summer.
Written and directed by Conor McPherson with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, the musical will be presented June 24–August 23 with an official opening July 9. Casting for the production, set to feature 23 actors and musicians, will be announced at a later date.
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Rae Smith, orchestrator, arranger, and musical supervisor Simon Hale (with additional arrangements by McPherson and Hale), lighting designer Mark Henderson, sound designer Simon Baker, movement director Lucy Hind, musical director Alan Berry, and casting director Jessica Ronane.
Featuring a book by director McPherson and music from Dylan's
catalog, the musical offers a slice-of-life look at a small community in
Duluth, Minnesota, where the Laine family operates a rundown
guesthouse.
READ: Do You Need to Know Bob Dylan Music to Love Girl From the North Country?
Writer and director McPherson said in a statement, "It’s a humbling privilege to bring Girl from the North Country home to The Old Vic. People approach me all the time to say how much it meant to them first time 'round—and I can still barely account for how it all happened. All I know is, in these strange times, a unique and magical artist like Bob Dylan reminds us how much we all truly need each other. So I look forward to welcoming lots of new and familiar faces as we watch the sun come rising from that little Minnesota town one more time."
Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus added, "What an honor to welcome Girl from the North Country back to The Old Vic, following its world premiere here on our stage eight years ago. It’s no exaggeration to say this production has played a major role in redefining what musical theatre can be, delivering a form-bending story of love, loss, and hope that has resonated far and wide. When I was first introduced to this project, it felt once-in-a-lifetime—the combination of Bob Dylan’s songs and Conor McPherson’s writing is truly extraordinary and completely unforgettable. I’m delighted to have Conor back directing his original landmark production; I know this will be very special for our audiences."
Following its world premiere at The Old Vic, Girl From the North Country transferred to the West End in 2017. The musical opened on Broadway in 2020. A filmed performance from the musical's Broadway run is set to premiere on PBS in May.
Girl From the North Country received seven 2022 Tony nominations, including Best New Musical, Best Book of a Musical (McPherson), Best Orchestrations (Simon Hale), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Simon Baker), Best Direction of a Musical (McPherson), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Mare Winningham), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Jeannette Bayardelle). Hale won the Tony for his orchestrations.
The musical has since had multiple international productions, including in Canada and Australia, major tours across the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, and a revival in the West End in 2019.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public April 14. Visit OldVicTheatre.com.
