Amour, Michel Legrand's musical, will premiere in the UK at the Charing Cross Theater in London.
The play opened on Broadway in 2002 and was nominated for 5 Tony Awards including that for Best Musical. Unfortunately, the musical won no prize, surpassed by Hairspray who won 8 awards that evening.
The musical is based on the fantastic short story by Marcel Aymé, The Wall Pass, published in 1943. The story takes place in Paris in 1950, and follows the shy Marcel Dusoleil who dreams of Isabelle, a woman locked up by her husband. When Dusoleil acquires the ability to pass through walls, he begins to lead to a double life.
The music is signed Michel Legrand, who died on January 26, at the age of 86. Michel Legrand's work includes Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Marguerite and the music for the film The Thomas Crown Affair. The composer has won 3 Oscars and 5 Grammy awards during his career. You can find a complete file which traces his incredible career, here.
The English lyrics are by Jeremy Sams (translated from the original French by Didier Van Cauwelaert).
Discover “Somebody”, one of the show's flagship songs, performed in the original version by Melissa Errico. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical:
In London
The show will be at the Charing Cross Theater from May 2 to July 20, 2019. Hannah Chissick is directing and Matt Cole is choreography. Adrian Gee will be the scenographer of this production, the lights are by Rob Halliday, the sound by Andrew Johnson. Jordan Li-Smith is in charge of musical direction and the casting is assigned to Danielle Tarento, who also produces the show.
The cast has not yet been announced.
Producer Danielle Tarento said: “Although I am so thrilled to produce this wonderful show, there is a tinge of sadness that Michel never had the chance to see. Amour in London, which I longed for. I hope the production is a fitting tribute to this extraordinary man ”