Andrew Lloyd Webber announces further casting for The Wizard of Oz
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster new production of The Wizard of Oz, which opens at the London Palladium this February, has announced further casting details.
After wowing audiences in Regent’s Park this summer playing the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Wood, Hannah Waddingham is to play the Wicked Witch of the West in the blockbuster new production, alongside Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Dorothy and Michael Crawford as the Wizard.
Dorothy’s companions on the yellow brick road to Oz will feature Paul Keating as the Scarecrow, Edward Baker-Duly as Tin Man and David Ganly as the Cowardly Lion. Glinda, The Good Witch, will be played by Emily Tierney.
Hannah Waddingham’s credits include Olivier Award nominations for the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Desiree Armfelt in Trevor Nunn’s production of A Little Night Music at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the Garrick Theatre.
Paul Keating has appeared in a number of stage roles including the lead role in Tommy at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Tick… Tick… BOOM! at the Duchess Theatre and The Little Shop of Horrors with Sheridan Smith at Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End.
Edward Baker-Duly’s credits include Gone With The Wind and West Side Story in the West End and Rookery Nook at the Menier; David Ganly has featured in the Young Vic’s recent production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre and The Full Monty at the Prince of Wales Theatre; Emily Tierney recently appeared in David Essex musical All The Fun Of The Fair at the Garrick Theatre.
The Wizard of Oz will star Danielle Hope, 18, who won the BBC talent show Over the Rainbow to become Dorothy in the new production. Over The Rainbow runner-up Sophie Evans will cover the part of Dorothy on Tuesdays and when Ms Hope is on holiday. The show will also star Michael Crawford as the Wizard, who returns to the London Palladium after his triumphant run there in the 1980s in Barnum, for which he won an Olivier award. Michael is also well known for originating the role of the Phantom in Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in both London and New York, winning Tony and Olivier Awards for his performance.
The major musical starts rehearsals in December featuring songs from the original Harold Arlen film score plus new songs penned by a reunited Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group will produce the show, with performances starting from 7 February 2011 at the London Palladium. The creative team behind the 2006 revival of The Sound of Music, including director Jeremy Sams, designer Robert Jones and choreographer Arlene Phillips, will work on the show.
Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
MORE OZ NEWS
Danielle Hope will perform at this year’s Royal Variety Performance in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
The annual show, which will take place on 9 December 2010, is to be held at the London Palladium – home of forthcoming musical The Wizard of Oz – to help the venue celebrate its 100th anniversary.
