Full Cast of Broadway's One Man, Two Guvnors Announced; Many Original Cast Members Cross Pond

By Kenneth Jones
16 Feb 2012

James Corden
James Corden
Photo by Johan Persson

Casting is complete for the Broadway transfer of the popular West End comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, about a manservant pulled between two bosses — and his own voracious appetite. As previously reported, James Corden (The History Boys) repeats his London work as butler Francis Henshall.

Producer Bob Boyett's Broadway engagement of the Nicholas Hytner comedy by Richard Bean will open at the Music Box April 18 following previews from April 6. The National Theatre of Great Britain production continues with a new cast on the West End this spring. Ten members of the original National cast will appear in this American premiere.

The play is based on Carlo Goldoni's commedia classic The Servant of Two Masters. The staging has original songs by Grant Olding.

One Man, Two Guvnors also features Oliver Chris as "Stanley Stubbers," Jemima Rooper as "Rachel Crabbe," Tom Edden as "Alfie," Martyn Ellis as "Harry Dangle," Trevor Laird as "Lloyd Boateng," Claire Lams as "Pauline Clench," Fred Ridgeway as "Charlie Clench," Daniel Rigby as "Alan Dangle" and Suzie Toase as "Dolly." The company will also include Brian Gonzales, Eli James, Ben Livingston, Sarah Manton, Stephen Pilkington, David Ryan Smith and Natalie Smith.

There are ten performers from the original casting crossing the pond for the American premiere. James Corden is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. Oliver Chris, Jemima Rooper, Tom Edden, Martyn Ellis, Trevor Laird, Claire Lams, Fred Ridgeway, Daniel Rigby and Suzie Toase are appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association. The Producer gratefully acknowledges Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

According to production notes, "In One Man, Two Guvnors, Corden stars as Francis Henshall [the title's "one man"]. Always-famished and easily-confused, Henshall agrees to work for a local gangster as well as a criminal in hiding [ the "two guvnors"], both of whom are linked in a tangled web of schemes and romantic associations... none of which Francis can keep straight. So he has to do everything in his power to keep his two guvnors from meeting while trying to eat anything in sight along the way. Simple. Falling trousers, flying fish heads, star-crossed lovers, cross-dressing mobsters and a fabulous on-stage band are just some of what awaits [in the acclaimed] play…"

The creative team for Mark Thompson (set & costumes), Cal McCrystal (physical comedy director), Mark Henderson (lights) and Paul Arditti (sound).

The Broadway production follows a sold-out run that opened at the National Theatre in May 2011; a UK tour; and, a popular run in London's West End that began in fall 2011. One Man, Two Guvnors recently won the Evening Standard and the London Critics Circle Awards.

The play is produced on Broadway by Bob Boyett and the National Theatre of Great Britain.

Beginning April 6, the performance schedule will be Tuesday–Saturday evenings at 8 PM, Wednesday & Saturdays at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Beginning April 24, the performance schedule will be Tuesday evenings at 7 PM, Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 8 PM, Wednesday & Saturdays at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Ticket prices range from $26.50-126.50. Tickets are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250 or online at www.Telecharge.com.

For more information, visit www.onemantwoguvnorsbroadway.com.