Reece Shearsmith will star in forthcoming musical concert Cool Rider, previously entitled Grease 2 In Concert, when it arrives in the West End next year for what will now be two performances of the Rydell High-set romance.
The concert, which was originally due to play on 27 January at 19:30 only, will now bring an additional late night instalment of the kitsch love story to the Lyric theatre, playing for a second time at 23:00.
Taking on the role of biology teacher Mr Stuart, Shearsmith, who is arguably best known for his screen appearances in cult comedies The League Of Gentleman and Psychoville, and Simon Pegg films The World’s End and Shaun Of The Dead, returns to the West End following performances in Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello theatre, The Producers at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s.
Featuring songs including Who’s That Guy?, Score Tonight, Reproduction, Girl For All Seasons, We’ll Be Together and the title track Cool Rider, the musical evening will bring the love story of Stephanie Zinone and Michael Carrington to the stage, charting their romantic journey from bowling alley to burger joint, sing-a-long sex education class to talent show, and long motorcycle rides to a slightly incongruous luau ending.
Promising to pay homage to the 1982 American musical film starring Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer, Cool Rider is just one of the shows playing at the West End venue in the new year, with long-running Michael Jackson-based hit Thriller Live continuing its Unbreakable success and children’s favourite The Gruffalo playing through the festive period until 12 January.