New Gershwin Show A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS Begins Performances Tonight

Performances begin tonight, May 30, at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a new Gershwin musical, A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. It officially opens on June 10 and will close June 27. Click here to see rehearsal photos!

George is an American composer working at the Savoy Theatre in London. Maud is the thoroughly English Lady Marshmoreton, a beautiful socialite who lives in a castle with a ha-ha and a drawbridge.

They really shouldn't have met because George needs to complete his musical and Maud needs to marry most urgently, and already has someone totally unsuitable in mind. Luckily Maud's fierce aunt, Lady Caroline, has a solution - she's going to lock her lusty charge in the tower.

Uplifting and wildly funny, this musical comedy is a tribute to English love with all its eccentricities. Based on the novel byP.G. Wodehouse, with songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film and features the unforgettable songs Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Can't Be Bothered Now and A Foggy Day (In London Town).

Making their Chichester debuts as George and Maud areRichard Fleeshman (UrineTown, Ghost: The Musical, Legally Blonde) and the Olivier Award nominated Summer Strallen(Top Hat, Love Never Dies, The Sound of Music). The stellar cast also includes Desmond Barrit (The History Boys, Wicked and numerous RSC productions), Isla Blair (Made in Dagenham, The Lyons, Festival 2009's Collaboration),Nicholas Farrell (Festival 2011's South Downs / The Browning Version, 37 Days and Chariots of Fire) and Sally Ann Triplett (Follies!, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls).

This new stage musical is directed by the celebrated American director and choreographer, Rob Ashford, whose many accolades include a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award and Critics' Circle Award. His most recent hits include the 2012 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Scarlett Johansson, and Macbeth for the Manchester International Festival in 2013 with Kenneth Branagh and
Alex Kingston.

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