Wicked star Willemijn Verkaik has joined the cast of the forthcoming Tamsin Greig-led musical Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown.
The Dutch star, who starred as Elphaba in Wicked earlier this year before she was forced to leave the show in order to undergo back surgery, is joined in the cast by two West End regulars; The Voice star Ricardo Afonso, who has previously appeared in Thriller Live, We Will Rock You and Top Hat, and Haydn Oakley, whose numerous West End credits include The Book Of Mormon, Lend Me A Tenor The Musical, Spamalot, Wicked and We Will Rock You.
The star joins previously announced stars Greig, Haydn Gwynne, Jérôme Pradon and Anna Skellern in the UK premiere stage adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar’s Oscar-nominated film.
Featuring a score by David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane, the production is directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher and tells the story of Pepa whose life unravels when her lover leaves her. And then she meets his wife. And his son. And his new girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Pepa’s best friend is tangled up in her own romantic crisis with a suspected criminal, leaving Pepa with only the taxi driver to help navigate the Gran Vía ahead.
The colourful production will play at the Playhouse Theatre from 16 December (press night 12 January) and see the leading cast joined by a company including Marianne Benedict, Holly James, Michael Matus, Rebecca McKinnis, Sarah Moyle, Alastair Natkiel, Nuno Queimado and Dale Rapley.