Midnight Cowboy—A New Musical, based on the James Leo Herlihy novel that inspired the 1969 film starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, makes its world premiere at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant beginning April 4.
Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, the limited engagement will continue through
May 17.
The cast is led by EastEnders star Max Bowden as Rico "Ratzo" Rizzo, Paul Jacob French (Grease) as Joe Buck, and Tori Allen-Martin (Here We Go) as Cass.
The trio are joined by Elena Breschi (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World) as Delores, Joanne Henry (Bridgerton) as Grandma Sally, Dean Makowski-Clayton (Little Fiend) as Student, Christian Maynard (Miss Saigon) as Tombaby, Phoebe Roberts (Grease) as Chalkline Annie, Tim Rogers (An Officer and a Gentleman) as Woodsy Niles, Rohan Tickell (Rock of Ages) as Mr. O’Daniel, and Matthew White (The Mousetrap) as Towny with swings Nick Len (Wicked) and Hollie-Ann Lowe (Burlesque The Musical).
The new musical features a book by Bryony Lavery (Frozen) and a score by Ivor Novello Award winner Francis “Eg” White, who has written songs for Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine, and James Morrison.
Midnight Cowboy follows Joe Buck, a desperate young man who
arrives in the big city seeking wealth and glory and meets Rico 'Ratso'
Rizzo. The pair join forces, prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve
their dreams, even if it
means surrendering a part of themselves.
The production also has musical arrangements, orchestrations, and musical supervision by Charlie Ingles, set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, costume design by Sophia Pardon, sound design by Yvonne Gilbert, creative development by Winston, production management by James Anderton, musical direction by Ellie Verkerk, intimacy direction by Lucy Fennell, dialect coaching by Mary Howland, casting by Sarah-Jane Price, company stage management by Peter Barnett, and deputy stage management by Samantha Kerrison.
The film about the naïve male hustler won 1970 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
ADAMA Entertainment produces.
Visit MidnightCowboyMusical.com.
