After an extensive search, American actress Rebecca LaChance has been confirmed to star alongside Michael Ball in Chichester's forthcoming summer musical Mack and Mabel and will tour across the UK and Ireland in the production.
Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974. The score includes "Time Heals Everything" and "I Won't Send Roses".
Ball and LaChance will be joined by Anna-Jane Casey, Jack Edwards, Alex Giannini, Gunner Cauther and Mark Inscoe. The company also includes Michelle Francis, Emily Langham, Rebecca Louis, Joshua Lovell, Joseph Prouse and Emily Shaw. Further casting to be announced.
Artistic Director Jonathan Church will direct. He said, "Mabel Normand was 'discovered' by Mack Sennett and became one of the best-loved female film stars of the era.
"Partly for this reason, Michael and I always hoped we might cast an emerging young actress to play Mabel and we are thrilled that Rebecca will follow in the steps of Bernadette Peters and Imelda Staunton who played this role at the beginning of their careers."