Rebecca LaChance to Star Opposite Michael Ball in New UK Production of MACK & MABEL

The Daily Mail writes that Rebecca LaChance will play 'Mabel' opposite Michael Ball's 'Mack' at Chichester this summer in a major new production of MACK & MABEL, directed by Jonathan Church. The show opens at the Festival Theatre in July, followed by a UK tour from October.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be embarking on this new journey alongside Michael Ball," LaChance told the Mail.

Commenting on her audition, Church said: "Michael came to final auditions in London and New York and this was a chemistry that felt right. We all felt it. " He added, "She has to be the love interest, be funny, you've got to believe in the relationship between her and Sennett - and you've got to believe that she could have been a movie star when you see her on screen."

MACK & MABEL features music & lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by the late Michael Stewart. The Mail writes that Church and Ball worked with Francine Pascal, Stewart's sister, to revise the book. "We're pursuing a route that honours what happened in real life and doesn't compromise the ending," Church said.

Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974.

LaChance currently appears in the ensemble of Broadway's BEAUTIFUL; she also understudies the title role. The actress has also appeared onstage at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, on tour with Theatreworks USA, in CENTRAL AVENUE BREAKDOWN at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and more.

Michael Ball plays Mack Sennett. Recent credits include the BBC television drama That Day We Sang, which reunited him with Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. Theatre credits include the title role in Sweeney Todd (Chichester's Festival 2011 and West End), Hairspray, LES MISERABLES, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Passion, Aspects of Love, The Woman in White and The Phantom of the Opera. Ball co-produced Chichester Festival 2010's West End transfer of Love Story. He also has a successful recording and broadcasting career, and will be embarking on a UK concert tour in Spring 2015.

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester's Artistic Director. Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Taken at Midnight (also West End) and Amadeus, The Last Confession (Toronto, Los Angeles and Australia tour), Singin' in the Rain (also West End and tour), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (also West End) and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (also West End). Other credits include Of Mice and Men (West End and tour) and The Witches (West End and tour).

Choreography is by Stephen Mear, Chichester's Associate Choreographer. Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Gypsy (which transfers to the West End in March 2015), and Amadeus, as well as The Pajama Game (also West End) and Kiss Me, Kate (also The Old Vic). Other credits include West End productions of Shoes, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, Crazy for You and Anything Goes (National Theatre and West End).

Design is by Robert Jones whose Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Taken At Midnight (also West End), Kiss Me, Kate (also Old Vic) and Calendar Girls (also UK tour, Australia and Canada). Other credits include West End productions of A Chorus of Disapproval and Much Ado About Nothing.

Mack & Mabel will be at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 13 July - 5 September. Further information, including booking dates and ticket prices, will be announced at the end of February. Visit cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312 for more details.