Road Show is the new musical from award-winning American composer Stephen Sondheim, which receives its European premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Road Show tells the true boom and bust story of architect Addison Mizner and his fast-talking brother Wilson, two of the most colourful and outrageous fortune-seekers in American history. From panning for gold in Alaska to building the city of Boca Raton in Florida, both were driven by the need to succeed, at whatever cost. Unfotunately this left them with a trail of debts, disastrous relationships and unfulfiled dreams.
Written in 1999, Road Show has variously been called Wise Guys and Bounce, until it was staged until its current name in New York in 2008. The director of that production, John Doyle, now directs Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Doyle is no stranger to Sondheim’s work, having directed Company and Sweeney Todd. His chamber production of the latter originated at the Watermill theatre, Newbury, before transferring to the West End and then Broadway.
The Menier Chocolate Factory has a track record of producing quality Sondheim productions. its 2005 production of Sunday In The Park With George transferred to the West End and picked up six Olivier Awards, while A Little Night Music also transferred to the West End and Broadway.
Road Show stars David Bedella, whose work includes Jerry Springer The Opera, for which he won an Olivier Award, Chicago and The Rocky Horror Show, as well as hospital soap Holby City.
For more about Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory read the First Night Feature.
Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.