New musical Clueless has announced initial casting ahead of the show’s premiere at London’s Trafalgar Theatre in February 2025.
The show is based on the hit 90s movie of the same name, and boasts an original score by Brit award-winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall (Saving Grace), and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled, Sister Act, School of Rock).
The cast of the show will be led by Emma Flynn (Beautiful, Little Shop Of Horrors) making her West End debut as Cher Horowitz. Emma played Cher in the off-West End tryout of the show in Bromley earlier this year.
Emma will be joined in the show by Keelan McAuley (Heathers The Musical, Grease) as Josh.
Further cast are to be announced.
Also get a first-listen of a song from the show, with Emma Flynn singing “New Girl”.
First-listen: Clueless – New Girl
Clueless A New Musical has a book is by the film’s original screenwriter Amy Heckerling, and Clueless is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh (The Great British Bake Off Musical), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Kelly Devine (Come From Away).
Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless has been a cultural touchstone since the movie’s release in 1995 starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz.
Set in the glitzy world of Beverly Hills, the story follows Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and popular high school student who spends much of her time matchmaking — only to realise that she might not understand love as well as she thinks.
Clueless A New Musical had a two-week tryout earlier this year at the Churchill Theatre Bromley, starring Emma Flynn (Little Shop of Horrors) as Cher, Annie Southall (The Wizard of Oz) as Tai, Madison McBride (Full Circle) as Dionne, Solomon Davy (Grease The Musical) as Christian, and Keelan McAuley as Josh.
The West End run of the show at the Trafalgar Theatre was announced last month.
KT Tunstall is an acclaimed, award-winning singer-songwriter, known for hits including “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See”. Tunstall has also written the musical Saving Grace.
The production is directed by award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh, known for hit shows Half a Sixpence, The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Wind in the Willows, and forthcoming musical A Knight’s Tale.
This isn’t the first time Clueless has been adapted into a musical. An earlier version premiered off-Broadway in 2018 as a jukebox musical featuring 80’s and 90’s hits. However, this new UK production is a major evolution with its completely original score, promising to offer audiences a fresh and bold take on the beloved story.
Original writer-director of the Clueless movie Amy Heckerling said in a statement: “I’m thrilled for Emma to bring her own take on Cher’s unforgettable charm and Keelan to make Josh his own.”
Emma Flynn said: “I’m beyond excited to step into Cher’s iconic shoes and bring her to life on the West End stage. Alicia Silverstone created such a beloved character in the original Clueless film, and it’s an incredible honor to continue that legacy. I can’t wait for audiences to rediscover Cher’s wit and heart in a whole new way, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a timeless story.”
Keelan McAuley said: “I’m so excited to be embodying Paul Rudd’s character from the original movie, on the stage! I especially can’t wait for audiences to hear the music in Clueless. KT Tunstall has created a great new score inspired by the music styles of the ‘90s. Combined with Glenn Slater’s amazing lyrics, they’ve really brought a whole new energy to the story.”
Clueless A New Musical is playing the Trafalgar Theatre from 15 February 2025, booking to 14 June 2025.
Book tickets to Clueless A New Musical at the Trafalgar Theatre in London
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