All three musicals will be performed in English with French subtitles.
The Robert Carsen-directed production of My Fair Lady will return to the Théâtre du Châtelet after a critically and commercially acclaimed run in 2010. Alex Jennings and Nicholas Le Prevost will reprise their roles as, respectively, Prof. Higgins and Col. Pickering, while Katherine Manley and Christine Arand will alternate in the role of Eliza Doolitle. The Orchestre Pasdeloup will be conducted by Jayce Ogren. My Fair Lady will play 24 performances, Dec. 5, 2013-Jan. 1, 2014.
Into the Woods will have its French premiere at the Châtelet in 2014. Over the last four years, Stephen Sondheim musicals have been prominently featured at the Châtelet with A Little Night Music (2010), Sweeney Todd (2012) and Sunday in the Park With George (2013). Lee Blakeley, who helmed those productions, will direct here as well. Announced performers are Kimy McLaren (Cinderella), Nicholas Garrett (Baker), Christine Buffle (Baker's Wife), Beverley Klein (Witch), Pascal Charbonneau (Jack), Rebecca de Pont Davies (Jack's Mother), Francesca Jackson (Little Red Riding Hood), Rebecca Bottone (Rapunzel), David Curry (Rapunzel's Prince), Leslie Clack (Narrator) and Damian Thantrey (Stewerd). Most of the performers have been seen in the Châtelet's previous productions of Sondheim musicals. David Charles Abell will conduct the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris. Into the Woods will play eight performances, April 1-12.
The King and I will be the third Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to be presented at the Châtelet over the last few years, after The Sound of Music (2009 and 2011) and Carousel (2013). Lambert Wilson will play the King of Siam, with Susan Graham and Christine Buffle alternating as Anna Leonowens. The role of Lady Thiang will be performed by Lisa Milne. The Royal Ballet of Cambodia will be part of this production, which will be directed by Lee Blakeley, and Orchestre Pasdeloup will be conducted by James Holmes. The King and I will play 18 performances, June 13-29.
For more information, visit chatelet-theatre.com. *
Stéphane Ly-Cuong is a Paris-based freelance writer and director ([email protected]).
