Broadway and West End’s stars to gather in a rock musicals concert

The world’s best artists will reunite in this benefit event which will include a repertoire of the most important rock musicals in the last 50 years. Directed by Hugh Wooldridge, this production coincides with the 20th anniversary of The Night of the 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall, whose first creative team will collaborate again on this occasion. The cast, who has been confirmed this very week, includes actors such as Adams Pascal or Kerry Ellis, apart from an exceptional host: lyricist Tim Rice.

“If you find it too loud, you might be too old”. That’s how Tim Rice defended the arrival of a style by then unheard of in musical theatre. Jesus Christ Superstar, whose libretto he had wrriten, was one of the first Broadway productions with a purely rock score. Its theme, very controversial for the 70s, would note be the only surprise common theatregoers would find – who were used to a very different style of songs. But sometimes news become classics. Since then, rock music has become one of the most frequent in these shows – and this very repertoire will be homaged by the West End next May.

London’s Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, will host The Best of… Rock Musicals, a concert which will collect songs from some of the most popular musicals in the last decades – many of which have made history. Directed by veteran Hugh Wooldridge, this production coincides with the 20th anniversary of The Night of the 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall, carried out by the same creative team. But there’s still more, because this event will count on an excepcional host: Tim Rice. Also, the show’s income will be destined to the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust – an organization which helps with depression and mental unstability.

The cast has been confirmed this very week and will be formed by some of the biggest musical theatre stars, both from Broadway and the West End, apart from other European countries: Adam Pascal (Rent), Adrianna Hicks (The Color Purple), Kristina Love (Tina), David Michael Johnson (Jesus Christ Superstar), Kerry Ellis (Wicked), who will be accompanied by the West End Chorus and the City of London Phillarmonica AllStars. The cast will be joined by Judy Kuhn (Fiddler on the Roof), Debbie Kurup (The Bodyguard), Ray Shell (Starlight Express), Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Elvie Ellis (The Little Shop of Horrors), Rachel Fabri (The Sound of Music), Charlotte Harwood (Loserville), Rob Houchen (Titanic the Musical), Christian Lund (Phantom of the Opera), Jon Robyns (Hamilton) and Noel Sullivan (We Will Rock You).

With musical direction by Stuart Morley (We Will Rock You) and Kevin Amos (Jesucristo Superstar) and coreographies by Kevan Allen and Andrew Wright, the repertoire includes themes from Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Evita, Chess, Aida, Miss Saigon, RENT, Tommy, We Will Rock You, Spring Awakening, The Rocky Horror Show, Next To Normal, Little Shop of Horrors, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked and The Lion King. “This event is a must for all who love rock musicals and musical theatre”, says Hugh Wooldridge. “With the very best artistes in the world coming together to celebrate the very best in rock musicals from the last 50 years”.

The Best of… Rock Musicals will take place on May 12th, further perfomances to be later announced. Tickets are already available on the following link.