NEWS TICKER
Published on
May 19, 2023
To Wong Foo the Musical to have World Premiere at Hope Mill Theatre
By
douglasmayo
Hope Mill Theatre Manchester have announced the World Premiere of To Wong Foo the Musical this October.
To Wong Foo the Musical is to have its world premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester this October.
Based on the 1995 ground-breaking film, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar, written by multiple Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane. The film, which has become a cult-classic, features an all-star cast including Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Robin Williams and Ru Paul. The production will open at Hope Mill Theatre on 21 October for a limited 9-week run.
Set in 90s New York To Wong Foo the Musical tells the story of 3 Drag Queens, Vida, Noxeema and Chichi, who embark on a trip across America to attend the Drag Queen of the Year Finals in Hollywood. When their car breaks down in Middle America, their lives, as well as those in the town, are turned upside down, in this joyous, heartfelt and high-camp musical extravaganza! 3 drags have come to save America, one show tune at a time!
The new musical has a book and direction by original film screenplay writer Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn and casting by Sarah Leung CDG.
Casting and full creative team is to be announced.
Douglas Carter Beane said, "I am so thrilled to bring the World Premiere of To Wong Foo the Musical, not only to the UK, but to the wonderful Hope Mill Theatre and Manchester. When I wrote this story back in the 90's, it was always a theatre show in my mind, and fortunately for me, Steven Spielberg and Beeban Kidron thought it would make a great movie. But, for me it was always the ambition to bring it to the stage and I'm so happy its finally happening. Although the musical continues to be an homage to Drag, 90s New York and the amazing individuals who made it such a vibrant place to be, it is even more politically relevant today than ever before as censorship and condemnation of drag is unfortunately on the rise in the United States. I hope this show connects with new audiences as it did way back then...come along for the ride!"