Reality Show Finalist Lauren Samuels Tapped as Sandy in London Grease

Lauren Samuels, a finalist in the BBC reality series Over the Rainbow, will make her West End debut as Sandy in Grease beginning July 26. She replaces Siobhan Dillon in the production, which is celebrating its third anniversary at the Piccadilly Theatre, directed by David Gilmore. Samuels is scheduled to play Sandy through January 22, 2011. Also joining Grease on July 26 is Siubhan Harrison as Rizzo.

Samuels finished in the top three of Over the Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV search for the star of a stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. She trained at the Guildford School of Acting and made her professional stage debut last season as Wendy in a Christmas production of Peter Pan at the Curve (Leicester).

The West End cast of Grease also includes Noel Sullivan (Danny Zuko), Matthew Goodgame (Kenickie), Lucas Rush (Roger), Hayley Gallivan (Jan), Benjamin Ibbott (Doody), Faye Brookes (Frenchy), Bennett Andrews (Sonny), Robyn Mellor (Marty), Michael Vinsen (Eugene), Susannah Allman (Patty), Kerry Winter (Miss Lynch), Stephanie Powell (Cha Cha) and Jason Capewell (Vince Fontaine).