Flashdance the Musical to Play the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre in the Fall

A musical based on the popular 1983 movie Flashdance has set dates for a West End run. Flashdance The Musical, directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, will begin preview’s at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre on September 23 and open on October 14, 2010.

The new tuner features music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Roth and Robert Cary. The book is by Tom Hedley (who wrote the film’s original story and collaborated on the screenplay with Joe Eszterhas) and Cary. In addition to new songs, the show will feature hits from the movie version, including "Maniac," "Manhunt," "Gloria," "I Love Rock and Roll" and the Academy Award-winning title song "Flashdance -What a Feeling."

Set in Pittsburgh, Flashdance The Musical tells the story of 18-year old Alex, a welder by day and dancer by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.

The production will feature orchestrations and musical supervision by Phil Edwards. It is being produced in the West End by Christopher Malcolm, David Ian, The Baruch Viertel Routh Frankel Group and Transamerica.

Casting will be announced shortly.