Cassidy Janson will make the Earth move for audiences at the Aldwych Theatre later this year as she replaces Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben in the title role of West End hit Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.
News of the acclaimed musical’s new leading lady comes with the announcement that the production has extended its booking period until 29 October 2016, giving theatregoers an additional eight months to enjoy the much-loved hit.
Janson’s recent London stage credits include Dessa Rose at the Trafalgar Studios and the Menier Chocolate Factory’s Candide, but she adds her forthcoming role in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical to a long list of musical theatre credits including West End productions of Wicked, Lend Me A Tenor and Avenue Q.
The actress will lead the acclaimed musical, which charts the singer-songwriter’s rise to fame, from 30 November alongside fellow new cast member, Doctors actress Diane Keen, who will play her on-stage mother Genie Klein.
They join Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh and winner Lorna Want, who play rival song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and their fellow current cast members Alan Morrissey and Gary Trainor, who continue in the roles of Gerry Goffin and Don Kirshner.
From 26 November the cast will also include former Jersey Boy Matt Nalton, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels The Musical’s Gavin Alex, Dom Hartley Harris, Leo Ihenacho, Earl E Perkins and Sharon Rose. Current cast members Hannah Jay Allan, Vivien Carter, Jay Perry, Tanisha L Spring, Danielle Steers and Joanna Woodward will also remain with the show
Interspersing King classics including Take Good Care Of My Baby, Locomotion and Will You Love Me Tomorrow with several of Mann and Weil’s well-known hits, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical charts the title character’s journey from school girl to superstar, taking in her close friendship with Weil and Mann, her relationship with Goffin and her journey to solo success.
Following the musical’s extension, hundreds of thousands of additional tickets will be available for the multi Olivier Award-winning show.