Ray Quinn, who dons the leather jacket of Danny Zuko in Grease on 11 May, will be partnering his real-life girlfriend Emma Stephens on stage as the actress, who already appears in the show in the role of Marty, steps up to play Sandy.
The couple are due to play the famous school sweethearts until 3 October, while the musical itself extends its run at the Piccadilly theatre to 3 January 2010. It had been booking to 31 October.
Stephens takes over from Nicola Brazil to make her debut in a lead West End role as Sandy. Her previous credits include UK tours of Starlight Express and Saturday Night Fever.
Quinn first appeared in Grease last year as Doody, before going on to win the ITV ice-skating competition Dancing On Ice. He is currently performing on the live Dancing On Ice tour.
This production of Grease – a revival of the 1993 Dominion production – opened at the Piccadilly theatre in August 2007 after casting its first leads, Danny Bayne and Susan McFadden, through ITV reality show Grease Is The Word.
The story follows the kids of Rydell High through their senior year, when newcomer Sandy arrives at school to find the boy who romanced her on holiday, Danny Zuko, is a student there. The score that charts their tumultuous reunion includes the hits You’re The One That I Want, Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’ and Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The musical, which originated in the US in 1971, spurned a blockbuster 1978 film version starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.
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