John Owen-Jones Joins Kerry Ellis-Led If/Then Concert; 2nd Performance Added | Playbill

London News John Owen-Jones Joins Kerry Ellis-Led If/Then Concert; 2nd Performance Added

Bill Buckhurst will direct the Tom Kitt-Brian Yorkey musical at London's Savoy.

John Owen-Jones and Kerry Ellis

John Owen-Jones has joined the cast of the U.K. premiere of the 2014 Broadway musical If/Then, which will be presented February 10 at London's Savoy Theatre. Due to demand, a second concert staging of the Tom Kitt-Brian Yorkey musical has been added for February 17.

Owen-Jones, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, will play the role of Stephen, replacing the originally announced Tim Howar.

As previously reported, Kerry Ellis will lead the staged concert in the role of Elizabeth, the part created on Broadway by Tony winner Idina Menzel. She will be joined by Adam Garcia (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Saturday Night Fever) as Josh, David Hunter (Waitress, The Time Traveller’s Wife) as Lucas, Preeya Kalidas (Bombay Dreams) as Kate, Jenny Fitzpatrick (Oliver!) as Anne, Carl Man (Death Note) as David, and Joni Ayton-Kent (Priscilla The Party) as Elena. The ensemble will include Christian Maynard, Kayleigh Thadani, Lauren Hall, Sario Solomon, M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac, and Danny Becker. Casting is by Pearson Casting.

READ: West End Star Kerry Ellis Says Wicked Cameo Is a Full-Circle Moment

Bill Buckhurst will direct the evenings with musical staging by Alistair David, musical direction by Michael England, and set and costume design by Takis.

Ellis, known for her work in Wicked, Anything Goes, We Will Rock You, and Les Misérables, said in an earlier statement, "I am so excited to be involved in this wonderful project—what a dream! The music is stunning, and the story is extremely touching; experiencing it at The Savoy Theatre will be magical. Playing the role of Elizabeth, a strong, modern, working woman faced with everyday real-life choices and decisions that are universally relatable to audiences, is particularly thrilling. I cannot wait!"

Tony winner Menzel starred as a woman starting her life over in New York City in the original musical from composer Tom Kitt and book writer and lyricist Brian Yorkey, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning team behind Next to Normal. The original cast also included Tony winner LaChanze (The Color Purple, Once On This Island), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Snyder (Cry-Baby), Jerry Dixon (tick, tick…Boom!, Once On This Island), Colella (Chaplin, High Fidelity), Jason Tam (A Chorus Line, Lysistrata Jones), Tamika Lawrence (Matilda), Jackie Burns (Wicked), and more.

The musical follows two storylines in the life of Elizabeth, a city planner who moves back to New York to restart her life. When her plans collide with the whims of fate, Elizabeth’s life splits into two parallel paths. If/Then follows both stories simultaneously.

If/Then arrived on Broadway March 5, 2014, and officially opened March 30, directed by Michael Greif. Read the original reviews here. The production was subsequently nominated for two 2014 Tony Awards. Upon closing March 22, 2015, the pop-driven musical played 29 previews and 401 performances.

Adam Blanshay Productions and Daniel Hinchliffe produce the upcoming concert in association with The Savoy Theatre.

The February 17 performance will feature British Sign Language interpretation.

Tickets are available by clicking here.

 
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