Tickets are on sale for new musical Opening Night in the West End with Sheridan Smith.
The new musical is based on John Cassavetes’ film and features a book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.
Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove, the musical will play a strictly limited season at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End from 6 March to 27 July 2024.
Sheridan Smith stars as Myrtle.
Inspired by John Cassavetes’ iconic movie, Opening Night delves into the journey of a theatre troupe as they ready themselves to launch a significant new play on Broadway. However, the real drama unfolds backstage when the star actress faces a personal tragedy.
This upheaval demands that each member of the company rise to the occasion, pushing them to deliver their most extraordinary performances.
Sheridan Smith said: “The chance to work with the musical genius that is Rufus Wainwright and one of the world’s greatest stage directors Ivo van Hove was a once in a life time opportunity, and quite frankly if they’d asked me to read out the back of a cereal packet I’d have been there!
“But, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be cast in this fantastic original musical and to play the complex and challenging character of Myrtle.”
Rufus Wainwright added: “For me John Cassavetes’s movie Opening Night has long been a shining beacon representing both excellence in cinema and the might of live theatre. An intense marriage of film and stage it is about a very personal mental and creative survival that I think we can all relate to on a very deep human level.
“I’ve been waiting for ages to write my first musical and with this fantastic story plus the incomparable Sheridan Smith, not to mention the incredible Ivo van Hove, I don’t think I could have aimed any higher.”
For more information, visit openingnightmusical.com
