The world première of rock opera and modern fable 27 opens this coming week at London's Cockpit Theatre.
The show has music, book and lyrics by Sam Cassidy who co–directs with Arlene Phillips.
As an actor, Sam Cassidy's credits include Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Rocky Horror Show on stage and the role of Prince Theo in ABC TV's Guilt. A composer for some time, this is Cassidy's début musical.
The plot concerns rock star Orpheus's self–destructive trajectory—will he end the same way as Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison and Winehouse whose careers came to an end at age 27?
The cast is led by Ryan Molloy who played Frankie Valli in Broadway and West End musical Jersey Boys for six years. His other credits include Fings Ain’t Wot They Used to Be, Jerry Springer the Opera and On the Town.
Cassie Compton's credits are comprised of American Psycho, Wicked and Dirty Dancing.
Jack Donnelly is best known for BBC's Atlantis, Misfits and two series of Threesome.
Greg Oliver's credits include musical Spring Awakening, After the Turn and The Prodigals. Oliver is also a recording artist.
These four are joined by Lucy Martin, Ryan Gibb, Jodie Jacobs, Maisie Bawden, Eloise Davies, Collette Guitart, Emily Kenwright, Sophie Ayers, Anthony Selwyn, Jason Kajdi and Kristian Cunningham.
The musical director is Matt Nalton and the choreographers are Ryan Lee Seager and Lucy Martin.
27 plays The Cockpit from 8 September to 22 October.