Becoming Nancy (musical) explained

Becoming Nancy is a musical with a book by Elliot Davis, music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe with additional songs by Terry Ronald and Elliot Davis. It is based on the 2011 debut novel of the same name by composer Terry Ronald.

Background

The musical, like the original novel by Terry Ronald, is a coming-of-age story set in the south east suburb of East Dulwich, London in 1979 about a school boy, David Starr, who is cast as Nancy in a school production of the musical Oliver!^[1] Similarly, Ronald was asked to play Nancy in the late 1970's for his school's production of Oliver! however turned it down but was later inspired to write Becoming Nancy.

Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell revealed that he bought a copy of Ronald's novel at an airport to read on his flight home to New York City following his work on the West End production of Kinky Boots and wanted to gain the rights to create a stage musical adaptation by which Ronald agreed as a fan of Mitchell's other West End musicals.

Production history

Atlanta, Georgia (2019)

The musical made its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia from September 6 to October 6, 2019. The production was directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Amy Clark, lighting design by Phillip S. Rosenberg and sound design by John Shivers.^{[2] [3]}

Birmingham (2024)

The musical made its UK premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 2 October running until 2 November 2024. Mitchell once again directed and choreographed the production, also it features seven additional songs by Stiles, Davis and Ronald not featured in the Atlanta production.^[4] Initial casting was announced on 16 July 2024 before full casting was announced on 30 July as well as a 6-track EP being released featuring songs from the musical including "The Risk", "Just For Today", "Ready To Be Touched", "About Six Inches From Your Heart", "On The Night Bus" and "Is This Something?".^{[5] [6]}

Cast and characters

Character	Atlanta	Birmingham[7]
	2019	2024
David Starr	align=center	Zachary Sayle	align=center	Joseph Peacock
Maxie Boswell	align=center	Jake Boyd	align=center	Joseph Vella
Frances Bassey / Donna Summer	align=center	Jasmine Rogers	align=center	Paige Peddie
Kath Starr / Debbie Harry	align=center	Sally Ann Triplett	align=center	Rebecca Trehearn
Eddie Starr	align=center	Matt Hetherington	align=center	Mathew Craig
Aunt Val / Kate Bush	Jessica Vosk	Genevieve Nicole
Hamish McClarnon / Sting	Stephen Ashfield
Abigail Henson	align=center	Lizzie Bea	align=center	Daisy Greenwood
Squirrel	align=center	Seth Clayton	align=center	Isaac Elder
Dennis Gordon	align=center	Evan Duff	align=center	Lucas Impey
Jason Lancester	align=center	Caleb Jenson	align=center	Sebastian Harwood
Chrissie Starr	align=center	Nella Cole	align=center	Dominique McIntyre
Marcia Tubbert	Luana Psaros	Layla Armstrong-Hughes
Bob Lord	align=center	Gary Milner	align=center	Richard Meek
Muriel/Mrs Boswell	align=center	Liz Pearce	align=center	Rachel Rawlinson
Bus Conductor/Mr Boswell	align=center	Tally Sessions	align=center	Tom Andrew Hargreaves
Ensemble	Chelsey Lynn Alfredo Nico Dejesus Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald Jason Goldston Tayla Groves Ricky Schroeder Paul Schwensen	Shannon Bourne Joseph Craig Cameron Gabriel Ollie Hart-Bradford Peter Lavery Zara McLellan Harry Warburton
Swing		Elliot Copeland Jessica Daugirda Jordan Isaac

Musical numbers

The following is the song list of the original Birmingham production which feature music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe unless where noted;

Act I

• "Welcome to the Beat of My Heart"*
• "Becoming Nancy"
• "Look at Them"
• "You Do You"**
• "The Play's The Thing"
• "I Don't Care"
• "About Six Inches From Your Heart"
• "Big Night Tonight"
• "Move Along"**
• "Is This Something?"

Act II

• "Abigail Henson"
• "On The Night Bus"
• "Who I Am"*
• "Where Do We Go From Here?"
• "Just For Today"
• "Ready To Be Touched"**
• "The Risk"*
• "Have You Ever Had A Love Like This?"*

* Music and lyrics by Elliot Davis, Terry Ronald and George Stiles

** Music and lyrics by Elliot Davis and Terry Ronald

Critical reception

The musical received mixed reviews from critics during the run in Atlanta.^{[8] [9] [10]}

Reviews for the Birmingham productions were more positive receiving four and five stars and standing ovations from audiences.

References

1. Web site: Stiles & Drewe Becoming Nancy . 2020-08-31 . Stiles + Drewe.
2. Web site: Becoming Nancy // Sep 6–Oct 6, 2019 // Coca-Cola Stage // Alliance Theatre. alliancetheatre.org. 2020-04-06.
3. Web site: Gans. Andrew. September 18, 2019. Zachary Sayle, Jessica Vosk, More Star in World Premiere of Becoming Nancy, Opening September 18. 2020-08-31. Playbill. en.
4. Web site: 2024-01-23 . Becoming Nancy musical to have UK premiere this autumn . 2024-01-24 . en-US.
5. Web site: 2024-07-16 . Becoming Nancy musical reveals initial casting . 2024-07-16 . en-US.
6. Web site: 2024-07-30 . Becoming Nancy musical completes casting . 2024-08-01 . en-US.
7. https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/becoming-nancy-musical-reveals-initial-casting_1614917
8. Web site: Rizzo. Frank. 2019-09-23. Atlanta Theater Review: 'Becoming Nancy'. 2020-08-31. Variety. en.
9. Web site: 2019-09-25. 'Becoming Nancy' Delivers Resounding Laughter and a Hollow Ending. 2020-08-31. The Emory Wheel. en-US.
10. Web site: 2019-09-24. Review: In Alliance premiere, "Becoming Nancy" feels like just another teen musical. 2020-08-31. ARTS ATL. en-US.