The world premiere musical adaptation of Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel The Book Thief will feature a book by author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper) and Timothy Allen McDonald, and a score by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson. Set to run September 17–October 15 at the U.K.'s Octagon Theatre in Howell Croft South, Bolton, The Book Thief will feature direction by Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham, and choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves. Opening night is set for September 22.
Taking place during 1930s Nazi-Germany, the story follows young orphan Liesel as she enters a dangerous game of book thievery.
"The Book Thief, as a novel, is a blockbuster that has sold over 20 million copies and deeply moved readers all over the world. Having the chance to bring it to life three-dimensionally in a world premiere musical at the Octagon is a dream for us," says Picoult. "The story of a foster child in Nazi Germany who learns the power words have to both hurt and to heal feels painfully relevant today. We hope that Liesel’s journey will inspire audiences to take a stand in the face of adversity, and to be agents of change in an increasingly divided world."
READ: Watch Arielle Jacobs in an Exclusive Performance From Off-Broadway’s Between the Lines
Director Wakeham adds, "I am absolutely thrilled to be opening our new season with this world premiere brand new musical adaptation of one of my all-time favorite books. Over the last couple of years, we’ve been busy workshopping the show and I cannot wait for audiences to finally see it. It’s an incredibly relevant, moving story and I’m so happy to be staging it in Bolton in our wonderful, newly refurbished theatre."
The creative team is rounded off with musical direction and orchestrations by Matthew Malone; design by Good Teeth's James Perkins and Victoria Smart; lighting design by Nic Farman; puppet design by Samuel Wilde; and sound design by Andy Graham.
Serving as associate director is Georgia Wang Murphy; associate musical director is George Strickland; casting director is Jacob Sparrow; assistant casting director is Olivia Barr; and production manager is Dan Turner.
This production is sponsored by Boo Coaching & Consulting.
Julia Murney, Hillary Fisher, Martin Landry, Vicki Lewis, John Rapson, Sean Stack, Jake David Smith, Dan Hoy, Aubrey Matalon, Arielle Jacobs, Wren Rivera, Jerusha Cavazos, and Heather Ayers
Darryl Roth, Julia Murney, Hillary Fisher, Martin Landry, Vicki Lewis, John Rapson, Sean Stack, Jake David Smith, Dan Hoy, Aubrey Matalon, Arielle Jacobs, Wren Rivera, Jerusha Cavazos, and Heather Ayers
Arielle Jacobs and Jake David Smith
Arielle Jacobs and Jake David Smith
Arielle Jacobs and Jake David Smith
Wren Rivera and Arielle Jacobs
Martin Landry, Aubrey Matalon, Heather Ayers, and Dan Hoy
Vicki Lewis and Julia Murney
Vicki Lewis and Julia Murney
Vicki Lewis and Julia Murney
Hillary Fisher and Will Burton
Hillary Fisher and Will Burton
Jerusha Cavazos and John Rapson
Jerusha Cavazos and John Rapson
Sean Stack and Wren Rivera
Wren Rivera and Jerusha Cavazos
Wren Rivera and Jerusha Cavazos
Wren Rivera and Jerusha Cavazos
Wren Rivera and Jerusha Cavazos
Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel
Jeff Calhoun, Jodi Picoult, Samantha van Leer, Kate Anderson, Darryl Roth, Timothy Allen McDonald, Elyssa Samsel, and Paul McGill
Samantha van Leer, Kate Anderson, Jodi Picoult, Darryl Roth, Timothy Allen McDonald, Elyssa Samsel, Jeff Calhoun, and Paul McGill
Samantha van Leer, Jodi Picoult, and Timothy Allen McDonald
Paul McGill and Jeff Calhoun
