NEWS: NEW MUSICAL 'ROCK & ROLL MAN' OPENS THIS WEEK

Neill Kovacic-Clarke
50 minutes ago
4 min read

ROCK & ROLL MAN,

THE MUSICAL THAT CELEBRATES THE BIRTH OF A SOUND, COMES TO THE UK

ROCK & ROLL MAN is the original musical about a musical original. Alan Freed was a Cleveland DJ who heard the future—and knew he had to let it sing. He named the genre “Rock & Roll,” bringing music to the masses and integrating artists and audiences on the airwaves and in concerts for the first time in history. Along the way, he became an icon to the nation’s youth—and a target for the nation’s establishment.

In addition to explosive original songs written just for the stage, ROCK & ROLL MAN features classics created by legends such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Drifters, The Coasters, and The Platters, including genre-defying hits like “Tutti Frutti,” “Maybellene,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Yakety Yak,” and “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.”

Freed’s passion for music inspired the generation that changed society forever.

ROCK & ROLL MAN features a book by Gary Kupper (Freckleface Strawberry The Musical - Outer Critics Circle nomination), Larry Marshak (editor of Night Beat Magazine and Rock Magazine), and Rose Caiola (Freckleface Strawberry The Musical - Outer Critics Circle nomination), original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper, vintage Rock & Roll elements developed by Marshak Classic Music LLC and Gary Kupper Music, direction by Tony Award® nominee Randal Myler (It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues), and choreography by Stephanie Klemons (Associate Choreographer and Global Dance Supervisor of Hamilton).

An electrifying cast ignites ROCK & ROLL MAN on its UK tour. This bold new musical celebrates the life and legacy of Alan Freed, who not only coined the term "Rock & Roll", he transformed music history forever. More than an innovator, Freed shattered barriers, uniting artists and audiences across racial lines through the power of music. A fearless visionary and rebel, he sparked a cultural revolution that helped pave the way towards desegregation.

Award-nominated Broadway star Constantine Maroulis will lead the company. Best known for originating the role of Drew in Rock of Ages on Broadway - a performance that earned him a Tony Award nomination - Maroulis brings both powerhouse vocals and deep rock credentials to the role of the DJ who gave rock & roll its name. He first rose to international fame as a finalist on American Idol and has since built a celebrated career across Broadway, touring and recording.

Joining him is acclaimed stage actor Gary Turner, widely recognised for his roles in international productions of The Bodyguard, his portrayal of Frankie Valli in the West End, and for playing Carlos Diaz in Emmerdale. He's taking on the roles of Leo Mintz and Morris Levy.

The cast also includes Jairus McClanahan (Hamilton, West End) as the flamboyant pioneer Little Richard, Joey James (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, West End) as Chuck Berry, Marquie Hairston (Disco Inferno, UK Tour) as teen sensation Frankie Lymon, Cherece Richards (Shrek the Musical, UK Tour) as rhythm and blues powerhouse LaVern Baker, and Joe Bence (Death Comes To Pemberley, UK Tour) as Buddy Holly. Mark Pearce (Groundhog Day, Old Vic) appears as J. Edgar Hoover, representing the forces determined to silence a musical revolution.

Dominique Scott joins the production as Jerry Lee Lewis and Musical Director, leading the live onstage band that drives the show's explosive sound and authentic rock & roll energy.

The ensemble is completed by Shelby Speed (Blippi, World Tour) and Anton Stephans (Little Shop of Horrors, UK Tour), with understudies Xorael Harrison, Jessica Ncube, and Grant Zavitovsky.

Written by acclaimed musician Gary Kupper, journalist and music producer Larry Marshak, and Tony award winning producer Rose Caiola, and directed by Tony award nominee Randal Myler, ROCK & ROLL MAN combines original songs written for the stage with iconic hits from the legends who shaped a generation.

Stephanie Klemons leads the choreography for ROCK & ROLL MAN. She is renowned as the Associate Choreographer and Original Dance Captain of the Broadway hit Hamilton and was an original cast member and Dance Captain of In the Heights. Christian Knight serves alongside her as Associate Choreographer.

Having designed the set for the UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen and Midnight at Sadler's Wells, among other credits, set designer Morgan Large brings his visionary design to ROCK & ROLL MAN.

ROCK & ROLL MAN is a high-octane celebration of the sound, the struggle, and the cultural revolution that changed music, and society, forever. This is the original musical about a musical original - the man who gave rock & roll its name and inspired the generation that changed society forever.

The show is produced by Wiltshire Creative, Rose Caiola for Caiola Productions and Julian Bird for Green Room Ents.

TOUR DATES

Salisbury Playhouse

Friday 13th February - Saturday 7th March

Theatre Royal Windsor

Tuesday 10th - Saturday 14th March

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Monday 16th - Saturday 21st March

Poole Lighthouse

Monday 23rd - Saturday 28th March

>>>> CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS <<<<

All details in this article are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.