The world premiere of a major new musical, "The Braille Legacy", is the thrilling, true, inspirational and epic story of Louis Braille, a young blind boy who wanted the same chance in life as those who see and ended up improving the lives of millions of blind people around the world. BroadwayWorld brings you a first listen to the song 'Liberte Egalite and Fraternite' from the show below!
It is directed by acclaimed director
Thom Southerland ("Ragtime", "Titanic", "Grey Gardens", "Death Takes A Holiday") and will première at Charing Cross Theatre (Artistic Director
Thom Southerland, Managing Director
Steven M. Levy) from Monday 10 April to Saturday 24 June.
Joining previously announced Olivier Award nominated Jérôme Pradon (West End credits include the UK premiere of the musical "Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", Guillaume in "Martin Guerre", Chris in "Miss Saigon", Javert in "Les Miserables", and Judas in the Emmy-winning video of "Jesus Christ Superstar") are:
Jason Broderick ("Godspell" UK tour, "Anna Nicole - The Opera" Royal Opera House); Tate-Eliot Drew ("My Lands Shore" Ye Olde Rose N Crown Theatre);
Will Haswell ("Jersey Boys" West End, Pinocchio in 'Shrek the Musical" UK tour); Lottie Henshall ("Doctors" BBC1); Sarah-Marie Maxwell ("She Loves Me"
Menier Chocolate Factory, "Top Hat" UK tour);
Matthew McDonald ("Death Takes a Holiday" Charing Cross Theatre, "Allegro" Southwark Playhouse); Kate Milner-Evans ("Showboat" West End, Carlotta in "The Phantom of the Opera");
Janet Mooney (West End includes "Les Miserables" and "Love Never Dies"); Ceili O'Connor ("Grand Hotel" Southwark Playhouse, "Evita" UK tour); Michael Remick (West End includes "Dirty Dancing" and "The Sound of Music");
Ashley Stillburn (Corrado in "Death Takes A Holiday" Charing Cross Theatre, "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miserables" West End);
Jack Wolfe (is making his professional stage debut as Louis Braille); and a child cast featuring
Guillermo Bedward,
Thomas Brown, Tallulah Byrne,
Beau Cripps, Ilan Galkoff, Honey Harrison-Maw,
Eliz Hassan, Megan Haynes,
Zachary Loonie, Mimi Slinger, Ophir Fifi Tal,
William Thompson.
"The Braille Legacy" is the story of a revolution and an heroic fight for independence, with the themes of difference, freedom, hope and love and the triumph of human values over adversity.
In Paris in the 19th century, blind people were victims of profound discrimination. Louis Braille, a bright young mind with a mad dream, arrives at the Royal Institute of Blind Youth, searching for the same chance as everyone else: to be free and independent. But he soon discovers that people and things aren't always what they first seem. By sheer determination and courage he stumbles upon something revolutionary: a simple idea, a genius invention, a legacy. Two hundred years ago, Louis Braille changed the world by inventing the tactile system of communication, the Braille alphabet, liberating the "People of the Night" and introducing literacy, knowledge and culture to a people who were otherwise trapped. It was their journey into the light.
"The Braille Legacy" has an original French Book and Lyrics by Sébastien Lancrenon, Music by Jean-Baptiste Saudray, with an English translation by Ranjit Bolt. Music Supervision and Orchestrations are by
Simon Lee.
"The Braille Legacy" is supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People and L'Occitane, who will sponsor the audio-described performances.
Photo credit: Scott Rylander
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