Ashleigh Gray To Star As Stephanie In COOL RIDER

Further casting is announced today for COOL RIDER, the cult musical sequel in concert, which will play two performances only on Monday 27 January 2014 at the West End's Lyric Theatre.

Joining the previously announced Reece Shearsmith as biology teacher Mr Stuart are Ashleigh Gray as Stephanie, Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Hannah Levane as Paulette and Niall Sheehy as Johnny.

Ashleigh Gray's many recent theatre credits include standby Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, Martha in the UK Tour of The Secret Garden, Lorraine in the UK Tour of I Dreamed A Dream; Kim in the UK Tour of Taboo; Miss Lynch in the UK Tour of Grease, Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Ashleigh has also made guest appearances in Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Aaron Sidwell's career began at 18 when he was cast as Steven Beale in the BBC's long running drama EastEnders. Theatre includes Michael Dork in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre, Jack Sprat in the UK No.1 Tour of Carnaby Street, Ham in Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Kyle Gibson in The Prodigals at the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Festival.

Hannah Levane most recently appeared as Joanne in the 20th Anniversary Concert Tour of Rent. Other recent theatre includes Chantelle in the European Premiere of Bare at the Union Theatre, Michelle and cover Dolores in the National Tour ofSister Act, Keisha in Flashdance at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Teacher/Alternate Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre, Taylor in the National Tour of Disney's High School Musical and Annie and cover Bess Porgy and Bess at the Savoy Theatre.

Niall Sheehy, best known as a finalist on the ITV's Superstar, is currently appearing in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre. Other theatre includes cover Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the UK Tour of Spamalot, A-rab in West Side Storyat the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and Carson/Peter in A Man Of No Importance at the Union Theatre and Arts Theatre.

The film told the heady and daring love story of two unlikely lovers and their road to romance from bowling alley to burger joint, sing-a-long-a-sex education class to talent show, and long (and beautifully lit) romantic motorcycle rides to a slightly incongruous luau ending. Now, this concert of the songs from the much loved and even more maligned 1982 cult musical will come to the West End for one night only, featuring the hit songs Who's That Guy?, Score Tonight, Cool Rider (which will be sung precariously atop a step ladder without the aid of wires for safety), Girl for all Seasons and the haunting melody of Rock-a-Hula Luau (Summer Is Coming).

Celebrating the infamous styles, moves and wheels of the greatest high school of all time, Cool Rider will pay homage to the films sheer brilliance (and shortcomings) with many surprises along the way. So grab your jackets, book your tickets, hide those hickeys and head to the Lyric Theatre!

Cool Rider is directed by Guy Unsworth and choreographed by Matt Krzan, with musical direction by Lee Freeman, lighting design by Charlie Morgan Jones and costume design by Christopher Wilmer. It is produced by Christopher D. Clegg and James DP Drury.

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