Lead casting has been announced for the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre productions of Hobson’s Choice and the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.
Mark Benton will play Henry Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, with Jodie McNee as his daughter Maggie.
Although Benton is well known for his television work in (amongst others) Waterloo Road and his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, his stage credits include The Front Page at the Donmar Warehouse, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg at Nottingham Playhouse and the 2013 UK tour of Hairspray.
Jodie McNee's theatre work include King Lear at the Shakespeare’s Globe, Twelfth Night at the Liverpool Everyman, Written on the Heart and Measure for Measure for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Rufus Bonds Jr and Nicola Hughes play the title roles in Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. This adaptation by Suzan-Lori Parks caused significant controversy when it was first planned in 2011 to be directed on Broadway by Diane Paulus.
Nicola Hughes was Olivier–nominated for her performance as Bess in Trevor Nunn’s 2006 production of the show. Her other credits include The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Fosse at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre.
Phillip Boykin will re-create his Tony–nominated performance as Crown, and double Olivier nominee Sharon D Clarke will play Mariah. Clarke's credits include We Will Rock You, Ghost and The Amen Corner.
Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse runs from 12 June to 12 July. Porgy And Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L Murray, plays 17 July to 23 August.
For further information and booking visit the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre web site.