Broadway powerhouse Keala Settle is set to lead the cast of the UK premiere of the heart-wrenching new musical Fly More Than You Fall.
The new production will run at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 18 October to 23 November.
The musical, inspired by true experiences, is a touching and uplifting exploration of grief and resilience.
Keala shot to international fame as the bearded lady Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman. Her performance of the show-stopping anthem ‘This Is Me’ became a global sensation, winning the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and earning an Oscar nomination.
Keala’s Broadway journey began with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, before she went on to dazzle audiences as Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables and as Becky in the original cast of Waitress.
She’s also known for playing Tracy Turnblad in the US tour of Hairspray and Bloody Mary in South Pacific at Lincoln Center. West End audiences may recognise her as Angélique from & Juliet, and she recently shared the stage with Jennifer Saunders in Sister Act. For TV fans, she was unmasked as Air Fryer on The Masked Singer UK.
Speaking about her upcoming role, Keala shared: “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.”
Fly More Than You Fall centres on Malia, a young girl whose world is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Malia navigates the tumult of her own life, she finds solace and strength in her writing, creating an imaginative world where a fearless bird named Willow reflects her own journey of resilience and hope.
With the support of her friends, the guidance of her family, and a stunning soundtrack, Malia learns to face her fears and embrace hope, discovering that even in the darkest of times, we can find the courage to rise above. In a society where grief often goes unspoken, Fly More Than You Fall offers a collective moment of healing and connection.
The musical features a book and lyrics by Eric Holmes, known for his work on TV’s The Good Fight and Smash, and music and lyrics by Nat Zegree. Christian Durham will direct the production, with further casting announcements expected soon.
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