Theatre Royal Drury Lane Set for Star-Studded Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Gala
The renowned Theatre Royal Drury Lane is set to become the backdrop for a grand celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the iconic partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The event, ‘My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert,’ presented by the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organisation, is slated for a spectacular two-performance gala on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.
The concert will be under the artistic vision of Christopher Gattelli, a Tony Award-winning director and choreographer acclaimed for his contributions to ‘The King and I’ and ‘South Pacific’ at the Lincoln Center Theater. Gattelli promises to deliver a dynamic staging of timeless classics from celebrated musicals including ‘Oklahoma!,’ ‘Carousel,’ ‘South Pacific,’ ‘The King and I,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘The Sound of Music.’
Additionally, the concert is an opportunity for UK audiences to experience first-hand performances of pieces from ‘Allegro,’ ‘Flower Drum Song,’ ‘Pipe Dream,’ and ‘State Fair,’ with some compositions set to make their UK stage premiere.
The lineup for the concert includes a remarkable assembly of talent. Audra McDonald, a multi-Tony Award recipient, Marisha Wallace, Julian Ovenden, and Patrick Wilson, all with substantial Broadway credentials, are confirmed to grace the stage.
Newly announced to join this illustrious group are Tony Award-winner Aaron Tveit, known for his electrifying performance in ‘Moulin Rouge! the Musical,’ Ashley Park, a Tony Award-nominee celebrated for her role in ‘Mean Girls,’ and Daniel Dae Kim, a versatile actor whose work spans television, film, and theater.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Orchestra, comprised of 40 skilled musicians and led by the esteemed Simon Lee, will accompany the performances alongside a select West End chamber choir and a dance ensemble. Audiences can anticipate further announcements as additional stars are set to be revealed in the lead-up to the event.
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