Up, Up and Away! It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman Set for a Supernatural U.K. Debut

The man of steel is finally making his U.K. debut with It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman. The musical comedy, which premiered on Broadway in 1966, is set to play a limited engagement at London's Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre March 4, 2014 through March 22. Directed by Randy Smartnick, opening night is set for March 7. Casting will be announced in due course.

It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman features a book by David Newman and Robert Benton and score by Charles Strouse (Annie) and Lee Adams (Bye Bye Birdie). Based on the Superman comics, the show tells the tale of Superman’s efforts to defeat the vengeful Dr. Abner Sedgwick who seeks to destroy the world’s symbol of good. Superman also comes into romantic conflict with Max Mencken, a columnist for the Daily Planet newspaper who is intent on revealing Superman's true identity, as he resents Lois Lane's attraction to Superman.

The original Hal Prince-helmed production of It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman opened on Broadway on March 29, 1966 and ran for 129 performances. The show features the songs “You've Got Possibilities,” “You’ve Got What I Need,” "I'm Not Finished Yet" and "The Woman for The Man,” and was later made into an ABC special in 1975 starring David Wilson, Lesley Ann Warren and Loretta Swit. The London production follows closely behind a US revival of the show starring Will Swenson at Encores! last March.