Pemberton will succeed original Broadway and London star — and Drowsy co-creator — Bob Martin in the role of Man in Chair. Pemberton joins a cast that includes Joseph Alessi (Aldolpho), Selina Chilton (Kitty), Enyonam Gbesemete (Trix), Nickolas Grace (Underling), Nick Holder (Feldzeig), Cameron Jack (Gangster 2), Sean Kingsley (George), Bob Martin (Man in Chair), Elaine Paige (Drowsy Chaperone), John Partridge (Robert Martin), Anne Rogers (Tottendale), Adam Stafford (Gangster 1) and Summer Strallen (Janet van de Graaff) with Nina French, Mark Goldthorp, Paul Iveson and Sherrie Pennington, and swings Kenneth Avery-Clark, Vanessa Barmby, Chris Bennett, Vivienne Carlyle, Mark Dickinson and Lincoln Stone.
The Drowsy Chaperone began previews at London's Novello Theatre May 14 and officially opened June 6.
Casey Nicholaw, who directed and choreographed the Broadway production at the Marquis Theatre, repeated those same duties in London. The original musical comedy has Tony-winning songs by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and a Tony-winning book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. The show won five 2006 Tony Awards.
The Drowsy Chaperone set designs are by David Gallo, costume designs are by Gregg Barnes, lighting is by Ken Billington and Brian Monahan, with sound design by Acme Sound Partners, orchestrations by Larry Blank and dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly.
The Drowsy Chaperone is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum, Roy Miller, Boyett Ostar, Stephanie McClelland and Barbara Freitag and Jill Furman. "To chase his blues away," according to Drowsy Chaperone press notes, "a die-hard musical theatre fan drops the needle on his favourite cast album – the 1928 musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the outrageously funny musical bursts to life in his living room. What follows is the rip-roaring tale of a pampered starlet determined to give up show business to get married while her ruthless producer is intent on sabotaging the nuptials! Add to this a Latin lover, a debonair groom, an English butler, a pair of gangsters disguised as pastry chefs and a very tipsy chaperone and all manner of mix-ups and mayhem are set to ensue."
Steve Pemberton appeared in The League of Gentlemen at the Royal Drury Lane in 2001, and in 2002 he played Marc in Art at the Whitehall Theatre. His TV credits include three series of "The League of Gentlemen" for the BBC as well as appearances in "Death on the Nile," "Shameless" and "Gormenghast." Pemberton's film credits include "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," "Churchill: The Hollywood Years," "The League of Gentleman’s Apocalypse" and "The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You."
For ticket information call 0870 950 0935.
