The Tony Award-winning Broadway star Faith Prince makes her West End debut in June, starring in English National Opera's new production of Kismet. Prince plays Lalume in the show, which runs for 19 performances between 25 June and 14 July. Prince joins a cast that includes Michael Ball, Alfie Boe and Sarah Tynan, and is directed by Gary Griffin.
Prince's Broadway credits include performances in Bells Are Ringing and Jerome Robbins' Broadway, winning Tony nominations for both roles. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress (Musical) in 1992 for her portrayal of Miss Adelaide in Guys And Dolls opposite Nathan Lane. The performance also won Prince Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. On television, Prince regularly appeared in American sitcom Spin City and can currently be seen in Huff.
Kismet, which is an exotic tale of love, bravery and freedom, follows the success of On The Town, which was staged by the ENO in 2005, revived for this season and is currently running at the London Coliseum. The show won three Tony Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1953 with music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, and a book by Charles Lederer and Luther Davies. Davies has had input into this new production, making revisions and adding material, along with Kit Hesketh-Harvey.
In addition to the cast and the show, the creative team also has award-winning pedigree. Director Griffin saw his production of Pacific Overtures win the Outstanding Musical Production category at the 2004 Laurence Olivier Awards. Javier De Frutos, who choreographs the production, won this year's Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for his work on Cabaret.
MA