Selladoor Productions And The Arcola Theatre Present The European Premiere Of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Little Miss Sunshine, the quirky off-Broadway hit musical will make its European Premiere in a brand new production at the Arcola Theatre, London on 21 March 2019, running for a 7 week season before embarking on a UK tour starting at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on 20 May 2019. Tickets for the tour go on sale from 26 October, tickets for the Arcola from 5 November.

Based on the Academy Award-winning film by Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine is the off-beat musical comedy created by the Tony Award-winning team of James Lapine (who collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George) and William Finn (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Falsettos). This new production will be directed by the Arcola's Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen with design by David Woodhead, lighting design by Richard Williamson, choreography by Anthony Whiteman and musical supervision by Mark Crossland.

The Hoover family has more than a few troubles, but young Olive has her heart set on winning the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest. When an invitation to compete comes out of the blue, the Hoovers must pile into their rickety, yellow VW camper van. Can it survive the 800-mile trip from New Mexico to California - and more importantly, can they? This inventive and uplifting musical celebrates the quirks of every family, the potholes in every road, and the power of overcoming our differences.

Arcola Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen said:

"In uncertain times, we all need a little bit of Sunshine. This is the story of a family coming together to celebrate their differences - and that speaks to the heart of Arcola Theatre's ethos. Our diverse family of artists and audiences is growing every year, and we're delighted that thousands more people outside London will get to experience Little Miss Sunshine, through our first major co-production with Selladoor Worldwide."

Established in 2000, Arcola is one of London's leading Off West End theatres. Locally engaged and internationally minded, its diverse and cutting-edge programme includes plays, operas and musicals. Previous musical productions include Sweet Smell of Success, The Cradle Will Rock, I Can Get It for You Wholesale and The Seven Deadly Sins, all directed by its Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen.

Arcola Executive Producer Leyla Nazli commented:

"Arcola Theatre is making bigger shows for longer runs, investing in artists while still providing tickets that are accessible for everybody. All seats for the London run of Little Miss Sunshine will be £10-£30, and as ever, we will keep Pay What You Can tickets available every week."

2019 marks the 10th anniversary of Selladoor Worldwide (originally Sell a Door Theatre Company) and since it was founded it has become an integral part of the regional theatre landscape in the UK and Ireland and increasingly globally as its international touring arm develops. Its aim is to engage young and adult audiences, along with first-time attendees to encourage the next generation of theatre goers by producing dynamic and diverse productions.

David Hutchinson, Executive Creative Producer from Selladoor Worldwide comments:

"We founded Selladoor to bring original work to the UK and I'm delighted that we are able to present the European Premiere of Little Miss Sunshine. We have worked hard over the last 10 years to build strong relationships with regional audiences and venues to make such a premiere possible. This new co-production with the Arcola allows us to create an adaptable musical production which will be seen in both an intimate London venue and in larger theatres across the country thus reaching a wider theatre audience. I am a huge fan of James Lapine and William Finn's work, one of the company's debut productions in 2009 was Falsettoland - one half of the brilliant collaboration from Finn and Lapine's masterpiece 'Falsettos' so it seems fitting to again present another of their works in our 10th anniversary year".

The show runs from 21 March - Saturday 11 May 2019 (press night on 1 April) at the Arcola Theatre, London then touring.

Casting to be announced.

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