Seven actors have been added to the cast of Here and Now, presented by “pop sensation” Steps, which will have its première in Birmingham in November 2024.
Finty Williams, who will play Patricia, was Hortense in Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein’s The Baker's Wife at the Menier Chocolate Factory earlier in 2024. She was also Mrs Hempstock in the National Theatre tour of Joel Horwood’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Dan Partridge, who played Danny in the national tour of Grease the Musical in 2021, will be Ben in Here and Now. Helen Colby will take the role of Tracey. Gary Milner, who was Peron in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita at Leicester’s Curve in 2023, will play Gareth. River Medway will play Jem. Edward Baker-Duly, who was Major Calloway in George Fenton, Christopher Hampton and Don Black’s The Third Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2023, will play Max. John Stacey will take the role of Lesley.
They join the previously announced Rebecca Lock as Caz, Hiba Elchikhe as Neeta, Sharlene Hector as Vel and Blake Patrick Anderson as Robbie.
The cast is completed by Olivia Bella, who will make her professional debut, Jabari Braham, Michael Carolan, Alex Christian, Kade Ferraiolo, Jemma Geanaus, Charlie-Jay Johnson, Serina Mathew, Jago Mottart, Markus Sodergren and Genevieve Taylor.
Featuring Steps hits, Here and Now has a book by Shaun Kitchener and is produced by the band and ROYO with Pete Waterman. It will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with choreography by Matt Cole. Matt Spencer-Smith is musical supervisor.
Set design is by Tom Rogers, costume designer is Gabriella Slade and lighting design is by Howard Hudson. Sound design is by Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and make-up design are by Sam Cox and casting is by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting. Associate director is Matt Hassall, associate choreographer is Jane McMurtrie and associate sound designer is Ollie Durrant.
Here and Now will run at the Alexandra, Birmingham from Saturday 9 until Saturday 30 November.