Initial casting announced for WILD ABOUT YOU at Charing Cross Theatre
Initial casting has been announced for Wild About You, which plays at Charing Cross Theatre from 18 January - 10 April.
On the day of his high school graduation party, Billy, a young man feeling at odds with his future before it has even begun, finds a trunk of letters written to him by his late mother, whom he’d been told had abandoned him as a child. The discovery sets Billy and his best friend Scoot on a journey to uncover the truth about his past and his connection to a woman he never knew, who might just be the key to understanding where he stands in the world.
Leading the show are Jodie Steele (Heathers The Musical, The Other Palace/Theatre Royal Haymarket/New World Stages NYC) as Olivia, Stewart Clarke (Stranger Things, West End) as Michael, and Alfie Friedman (Dorian: The Musical, Southwark Playhouse Borough) as Billy. Alongside them are Danielle Steers (Hot Mess, The Other Palace/Southwark Playhouse/Edinburgh Fringe) as Jess, and Bea Ward (Miss Saigon, UK tour) as Scoot, with Cassandra McCowan (Stiletto, Charing Cross Theatre) as female ensemble. Further casting to be announced.
With an ensemble of characters from all walks of life, every person in the theatre will find a connection. Audience members will leave reflecting on their own direction, their journey, and their fulfilment, and the idea that "love is what we leave behind," humming many of the earworm songs long after.
With music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy, the show is as sonically contemporary as its themes and characters. The score blends contemporary songwriting with the lyrical depth and emotional intelligence of artists such as Joni Mitchell and Sara Bareilles. From electrifying melodic hooks to intimate and sensual acoustic moments, the songs will stay with the audience long after they’ve left the theatre. It draws from a rich musical palette of contemporary folk, pop, rock, country-pop, and soul to capture the extraordinary moments hidden within ordinary lives, creating a musical experience that feels both fresh and deeply human.
Bringing Dani Stoller’s book to life with aid from Chilina Kennedy, the creative team behind Wild About You includes director Kristin Hanggi, music supervisor, and orchestrator and arranger Daniel Edmonds, with further names to be announced in due course.
Producer Brian Spector said: "Following our unforgettable sold-out concerts, we are beyond thrilled to bring the fully staged world premiere of WILD ABOUT YOU to London. This incredible company of actors brings such raw emotional depth, soaring vocals, and contemporary heart to Chilina Kennedy's gorgeous score. We cannot wait for West End audiences to experience this deeply moving journey of love, discovery and connection.”
