Susan Boyle to Appear Onstage in Musical Biography I Dreamed a Dream

Susan Boyle has joined the cast of I Dreamed a Dream, the previously announced musical biography of her life. Elaine C. Smith will portray Boyle in the show, and star herself will take the stage to sing during the finale of each performance. An 11-week UK tour is set to begin performances at the Newcastle Theatre Royal on March 23, 2012, produced by Michael Harrison; no writer or director has been announced.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the musical about my life story and very much looking forward to stepping on stage and performing with the cast,” Boyle said in a statement. “It is an honest portrayal of my life and has been a cathartic process to be involved in.” Boyle’s appearances in I Dreamed a Dream will be her first live UK performances since the 2009 tour supporting her breakout star turn on Britain’s Got Talent.

After opening in Newcastle, the show will play theaters in Aberdeen, Bradford, Liverpool, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Cardiff, Birmingham, Inverness and Manchester before closing on June 23, 2012.