Keala Settle to lead new musical in the West End
The musical comes from across the pond! 🇺🇸
Last updated 19th Sep 2024
Tony nominated Broadway star Keala Settle is to lead the cast in the UK premiere of the new US musical Fly More Than You Fall at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 18th October- 23rd November. Keala Will be leading the cast as Jennifer.
The rest of the cast include: Robyn Rose-Li stars as Malia, Cavin Cornwall as Paul, Sara Bartos (ensemble), Maddison Bulleyment (Willow), Edward Chitticks (Flynn), Bessy Ewa (ensemble), Max Gill (Caleb), Harry Mallaghan (ensemble), JoJo Meredith (ensemble), Zasha Rabie (swing) and Kieran Usher (ensemble).
Based on lived experiences the uplifting and inspiring show navigates grief with some incredible songs that are bound to get stuck in your head! This isn’t just a musical, it’s a journey that will break your heart and mend it all in one night.
Keala achieved global fame as the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman. Her moving rendition of the anthem ‘This is Me’ was a standout song in the movie, going on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a video on YouTube has now been watched 82m times. She will also appear as Miss Coddle in the film adaptation of Wicked later this year.
On Broadway she made her debut in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, played Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables and originated the role of Becky in Waitress, she played Tracy Turnblad in the US national tour of Hairspray, Bloody Mary in the Lincoln Center production of South Pacific, made her West End debut as Angélique in & Juliet and co-starred with Jennifer Saunders in Sister Act.
She was recently unmasked as “Air Fryer” taking fifth place in The Masked Singer UK.
WATCH: Keala talks about finding her own voice 💙
Keala said today: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this beautifully uplifting story. It’s such a testament to the strength and compassion of the human spirit and the freedom that resides within us all.”
When Malia’s mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, her life is thrown into turmoil. As she navigates Following her Mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis Malia’s life is thrown into turmoil. Yet as she navigates the next stage of her own life, Malia finds solace and strength in her writing and in her stories, Malia creates an imaginative world where a brave bird named Willow mirrors her own journey of resilience and growth.
Through the support of her friends, the guidance of her family, and her own inner resolve (along with a banging soundtrack), Malia learns to face her fears and embrace hope, discovering that even in the darkest times, we can find the courage to soar.
In a society that doesn’t talk about grief we may all feel alone at times - Fly More Than You Fall gives us all a chance to lift each other and heal together with Malia.
More casting is yet to be announced.
For more information and to get tickets you can visit the Fly More Than You Fall website.
Have a look at musicals that went from the West End to Broadway:
Back to the Future: The Musical
The musical may be set in Hill Valley, California but Back to the Future: The Musical first opened in Manchester in 2020. Opening in the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street the production was unfortunately closed early due to covid, however all was not lost with the show then opening in the West End in 2021 leading the musical to pick up an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The production will be opening on Broadway at the Winter Garden on the 30th June 2023.
The Phantom of the Opera
Opening in Her Majesty's Theatre in London of October 1986 after only two years the production got its Broadway showcase at the Majestic Theatre in New York. The original Phantom lead cast in the Broadway production with Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine.
Les Misérables
Starting in October of 1985 by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Centre it was investable that Les Misérables got it's well-deserved Broadway debut in 1987. With over a massive $4 million tickets being sold prior to the opening! Les Misérables became a must-see Broadway musical of the 20th century and a worldwide hit with cast recordings and a viral soundtrack too.
Matilda
Starting off in Stratford-upon-Avon then going to the West End shortly after Matilda, written by Roald Dahl was another musical bound for Broadway. Opening at the Shubert Theatre on the 11th of April 2013 the musical then won a Tony Award for best book. After a long 3 year run the show closed its doors in 2017 now replaced by another Roald Dahl classic; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Mamma Mia!
The jukebox musical with songs from the Swedish group ABBA, was a hit and has had many sold out shows along with tours and even its own interactive experience Mamma Mia! The Party. The musical had its Broadway premier in 2001 at the Winter Garden Theatre. The musical had Broadway goers dancing to Super Trouper for 14 years before closing its doors in September 2015.
Six
Starting off at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a smaller production, Six's musical journey is extraordinary. Six began its open-ended West End run at the Arts Theatre in 2019 then moving to a larger Lyric Theatre and then the Vaudeville Theatre. The production received five Olivier including best new musical. Officially opening at the Brooks Atkinsons Theatre October 3rd, 2021, winning 23 different awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score.
Girl From the North Country
Another jukebox musical with hits from Bob Dylan with its world premiere starting at London's Old Vic in 2017, the production then moved to the Noël Coward Theatre for 12 weeks then being revived in 2019 till 2020 at the London Theatre. The production then made its Broadway premier at the Belasco Theatre opening on the 5th of March 2020. Although production was affected by Covid at the end of 2020 the show resumed performance in October 2021.
Mary Poppins
One of the most well-known Disney movies of all time was destined for West End and Broadway success. Opening in the West End on December 15th, 2004, at the Prince Edward Theatre closing its doors on the 8th of January 2023 running for over 1,250 performances. The Broadway production opened in November 2006 with another extremely long run closing on March 3rd, 2013, at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
& Juliet
Another jukebox musical based on the tales of Shakespeare, the production opened at the Manchester Opera House in September 2019 then transferring to the Shaftesbury Theatre closing on the 25th of March 2023. The production opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (on Broadway) on Thursday November 17th, 2022.
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