Woody Guthrie Musical Woody Sez to Play London's Arts Theatre

Woody Sez, a musical celebrating the life and music of American folk singer Woody Guthrie, will bow at the Arts Theatre in London in January 2011, with Broadway vet David M. Lutken starring as Guthrie. He co-wrote the book of Woody Sez with fellow Broadway alum Nick Corley (Mary Poppins), who will also direct. Performances begin January 13, 2011, ahead of a January 18 opening.

Lutken’s Broadway credits include The Will Rogers Follies, The Civil War, Ring of Fire and Inherit the Wind. He will be joined on stage by musicians Darcie Deaville, Helen Russell and Andy Teirstein.

Woody Sez was first brought to life at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and went on to festival productions in Belfast; Brighton; Recklinghausen, Germany and at the Lyric Theater in Woody's home state of Oklahoma before making its way to the London stage.

Weaving together Guthrie’s enduring words and songs, Woody Sez paints a powerful portrait of this cult figure’s fascinating and tragic life. Considered the Godfather of American folk music, Guthrie was an altogether original protest singer, fighting for and lifting up the spirits of people beaten down by the hardships of the Great Depression.