Broadway favorite Jackie Burns, recently seen Off-Broadway in Titaníque, completes the cast of Burlesque the Musical, the previously announced stage adaptation of Steven Antin’s film of the same.
Burns, whose Broadway credits include Wicked, Hair, and If/Then, will play the role of Tess, the mother of Ali Rose in the new musical. The part was created on film by Oscar winner Cher.
As previously reported, Burlesque will make its world premiere this summer at the Manchester Opera House, running June 13-29. The production will subsequently make its Scottish premiere at the Glasgow Theatre Royal September 11-28. Following Glasgow, the musical will return to the Manchester Opera House October 3-November 2 prior to a West End transfer with details to be announced.
Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, the cast will feature the previously announced Jess Folley (The Voice and The X Factor: The Band)
as Ali Rose, Todrick Hall as Sean, George Maguire as Vince, Michael
Mather as Jackson, and Nina Ann Nelson as Nikki, alongside ensemble members Jade Albertsen, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Stefan Lagoulis, Callum MacDonald, Tom Mussell, Ian Oswald, Tom Scanlon, Lewis Easter, Yasmin
Harrison, Billie-Kay, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Alessia McDermott, Jess Qualter,
Ope Sowande, B Terry, and Lily Wang; and swings Lucy Campbell, Amber
Pierson, Joe Atkinson, Callum Aylott, and Elly Jay.
Burlesque the Musical has songs by Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall, and Folley. Antin penned the book with additional material by Kate Wetherhead.
The new musical follows Ali, who heads to the bright lights of New York in search of her long-lost mother and finds herself drawn into an underground world where the beat of the music and the heat of the dance moves will change her life forever.
The production will also have set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight, musical arrangements and orchestrations by Tom Curran, musical supervision by Phil Bateman, video design by Nina Dunn, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Ben Harrison, hair and wig design by Carole Hancock, makeup design by Dominic Skinner, illusion design by Ben Hart, casting by Harry Blumenau, musical direction by Chris Poon, costume supervision by Laura Rushton, and props supervision by Lily Mollgaard. Vikki Stone is the dramaturg and associate writer, Racky Plews is the creative producer, David Gallagher is the orchestra manager, and Lloyd Thomas is the production manager.
Aguilera said in an earlier statement, "Burlesque was my first feature film—and creating the role of Ali along
with co-writing the music was a part of my career that I will always
cherish. I am so happy to be reunited with Steven, this time
behind-the-scenes as an executive producer and contributing songwriter
for our new stage version. Recreating Burlesque as a live theatre experience is something I always hoped would happen, and here we are!”
Academy Award winner Cher co-starred in the Burlesque film, which followed Ali (Aguilera), who escaped hardship in a small town to follow her dreams to L.A. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, she lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner. Ali then becomes a star performer at the club.
The soundtrack included "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Welcome to Burlesque," "Tough Lover," "But I Am a Good Girl," "Guy What Takes His Time," "Express," "You Haven't Seen the Last Of Me," "Bound to You," "Show Me How You Burlesque," and "The Beautiful People."
Burlesque The Musical is produced by Adam Paulden and Jason Haigh-Ellery, Sue Gilad and Larry Rogowsky, Steven Antin and Christina Aguilera, and Clint Culpepper.
The production is general managed by ADAMA Entertainment and produced by In Fine Company.
For ticket information visit BurlesquetheMusical.com.
