Straight from Strictly into Sleepless—or Millie!
Fresh from this weekend's final of BBC's dance competition, Danny Mac, along with West End star Carley Stenson, will be playing the roles of Sam and Annie in the world première of Sleepless the Musical at The Lowry in Salford in April.
The production will run from April 25 to 29 prior to a West End run.
Sleepless is based on the original story and screenplay of the much-loved movie and tells the tale of Sam, who moves to Seattle with his eight-year-old son, Jonah, following the tragic death of his wife.
When Jonah 'phones a radio show, he finds himself one of the most sought after single men in America. A lively book alongside a brand-new musical score bring the film to life on stage.
Danny Mac played the role of Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks but was given his first professional role as Gavroche in Cameron Mackintosh's touring production of Les Misérables. After graduating from drama school, he went straight into Wicked at the Apollo Victoria. Most recently, he played Warner in Legally Blonde at the Leicester Curve.
Carley Stenson played Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks for 10 years. West End credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical and Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. She also starred as Christine Colgate in the national tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
They are joined by Jennie Dale as Becky and Cory English as Rob. Further casting will be announced later.
Sleepless will be directed by Morgan Young (Elf, White Christmas, Big) with set design by Morgan Large.
The world première is a Theatre Royal Plymouth production presented by Michael Rose and David Shor, in association with Marc Toberoff and the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin.
Meanwhile, after winning the 2016 Strictly glitterball trophy, world champion ballroom dancer Joanne Clifton will be starring in a new tour of the classic Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie which comes to the Palace in Manchester the month after.
Joanne won the final with her partner—BBC Sport reporter Ore Oduba.
She will star as Millie Dillmount—the Kansas girl determined to make it big in New York City—at the Palace Theatre, Manchester in May 2017 as she takes on the lead role in this classic Broadway comedy musical.