42nd Street UK tour – cast includes Samantha Womack, Les Dennis, Faye Tozer & Michael Praed

Casting has been announced for the UK tour of smash-hit musical 42nd Street.

Samantha Womack will star as Dorothy Brock, alongside Michael Praed as Julian Marsh, Faye Tozer as Maggie Jones, Les Dennis as Bert Barry and previously announced Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer.

Samantha Womack most recently starred as the White Witch in the acclaimed production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Her run in the production was briefly interrupted following a cancer diagnosis and she returned to the show following successful treatment. Whilst best known for her screen work – Ronni Mitchell in EastEnders, Mandy in Game On, the titular role in Imogen’s Face and The Kingsman franchise – her numerous theatre credits include Rachel in The Girl on the Train both in the West End and on tour, Morticia Addams in The Addams Family UK tour, Nellie Forbush in the Lincoln Center’s production of South Pacific at the Barbican and on tour, and Miss Adelaide in Michael Grandage’s production of Guys and Dolls alongside Patrick Swayze.

Michael Praed’s many theatre credits include Darker Shores (Theatre Royal Windsor and on tour), The War of the Worlds (Dominion Theatre), Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales Theatre), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, High Society and The Sound of Music all on UK tours. His television credits include the role of Frank Clayton in Emmerdale, Prince Michael in Dynasty and the titular role in Robin of Sherwood.

Faye Tozer, best known as a member of pop band Steps, recently appeared in Singin’ In The Rain at Sadler’s Wells and on tour in the UK and Canada as well as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Her other theatre credits include touring productions of In The Spotlight, Over The Rainbow, Me And My Girl, Love Shack and Tell Me On A Sunday.

Actor, entertainer and comedian Les Dennis most recently starred as Grandad Trotter in Only Fools and Horses The Musical. His other West End credits include Wilbur in Hairspray opposite Michael Ball at the London Coliseum, Amos Hart in Chicago and Bill in Me and My Girl. His touring theatre credits include Art, Legally Blonde, High School Musical 2 and Uncle Fester in the musical comedy The Addams Family.

Produced by David Ian and Jonathan Church for the Curve and Sadler’s Wells, the show will open at the Curve in Leicester on 17 May 2023 followed by a summer season at Sadler’s Wells in London and then a nationwide tour – see performance schedule below.

West End stars Ruthie Henshall and Adam Garcia will play Dorothy Brock and Julian Marsh at Curve and Sadler’s Wells performances only.

This new production is directed by Jonathan Church (Singin’ in the Rain, The Drifters Girl) with choreography by Bill Deamer and design by Rob Jones.

This song-and-dance spectacular features a hit parade of toe-tapping songs, including the title number, “We’re In The Money”, “Lullaby of Broadway”, “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” and “I Only Have Eyes For You”.

42nd Street is a timeless and inspiring showbiz fairy tale that combines breath-taking tap dance routines, backstage intrigue, classic romance and delightful comedy to dazzling effect.

The show has music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin, and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, based on the novel by Bradford Ropes. Original direction and dances were by Gower Champion. The show was originally produced on Broadway by David Merrick.

Book 42nd Street tickets at Sadler’s Wells in London