Bromley’s Churchill Theatre will play host to the compilation musical from August 28, 2008, until September 6, before its three-month regional tour.
Can’t Smile Without You follows the fortunes of an aspiring young band who, upon visiting New York, audition for a reality TV show to find a new pop sensation.
When the TV company offers lead singer Tony a chance to appear on the show, the other band members give him their blessing, but Tony is then caught up in a tragic sequence of events that leave him fighting for his life.
Suffering from amnesia, his dreams appear shattered unless Mandy, a girl he once knew, can save him.
The new musical, which has been endorsed by Manilow, features more than 30 of the singer-songwriter’s hits, which include the likes of I Write the Songs, Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, Can’t Smile Without You and Copacabana.
Can’t Smile Without You is based on an original idea by Bill Kenwright, who also produces the show and co-directs it with Keith Strachan. The production will be designed by Andy Walmsley with choreography by Carole Todd and musical direction by John Maher.
After Bromley, the production will tour to Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Northampton, Stoke and Newcastle, with further dates to be announced.
As yet, there is no word on casting, while a London venue and dates for its West End transfer have yet to be confirmed.
Feature by Lizzie Guilfoyle
www.indielondon.co.uk
