Michael John LaChiusa’s Off-Broadway hit See What I Wanna See will receive its London Premiere in a limited 4-week run at Jermyn Street Theatre from Tuesday 8th September to Saturday 3rd October.
See What I Wanna See is a vibrant and provocative new musical that explores the nature of truth, and how it is altered by perspective. From medieval Japan where two lovers seek to escape a doomed relationship, to modern day New York where a priest is wrestling with his faith, See What I Wanna See weaves together three remarkable stories of lust, greed, murder, faith and redemption, where truth and lies have become entangled. Michael John LaChiusa’s beautiful and unexpected music blends a plethora of influences from jazz and salsa to classical and pop into a fluid, cinematic score. See What I Wanna See is a fiercely intelligent, heartfelt piece of theatre that calls into question; how pure can the truth ever be?
See What I Wanna See was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine, and was nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. The show premiered at New York’s Public Theatre in 2005 where it starred Idina Menzel in her first role following her Tony Award-winning performance originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked.
Michael John LaChiusa is a composer, lyricist and librettist, whose shows include The Wild Party, Hello Again, Marie Christine and Giant. Michael was nominated for four Tony Awards in 2000 for his score and book for both Marie Christine and The Wild Party.
See What I Wanna See is based on three short stories by acclaimed Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa. It will be directed by Adam Lenson, who is currently directing the 20th Anniversary revival of Songs For A New World at St. James Theatre starring Cynthia Erivo, Damian Humbley, Dean John-Wilson and Jenna Russell. Adam also created the sell-out concert series West End Recast at the Phoenix and Duke of Yorks theatre and was associate director on the Olivier award winning west end production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
See What I Wanna See is written by Michael John LaChiusa, based on short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa as translated by Takashi Kojima. It is directed by Adam Lenson with musical direction by Richard Bates. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.
Casting to be announced.
See www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk to book.
