Stars Set for Desperately Seeking Susan Musical in London

The forthcoming London stage version of Desperately Seeking Susan has announced its two leading ladies, Emma Williams and Kelly Price. The musical, featuring a classic catalog of Blondie hits and a new song by Deborah Harry, will begin performances at the Novello Theatre on October 12 and officially open on November 15. Written and conceived by American writer, director and actor Peter Michael Marino, the show will be directed by Angus Jackson and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler In the Heights.

Desperately Seeking Susan centers on a suburban New Jersey housewife, Roberta Glass Price, who escapes her humdrum life by reading the personal ads placed by Susan Williams, a street-smart New York City drifter, and her freewheeling boyfriend Jay. Through a quirky twist of fate, Roberta and Susan unexpectedly swap lives and are plunged into a madcap world of jewel heists, magic shows and rock 'n' roll. The collision of their identities takes them on a wild ride of transformation and discovery until they realise that just when you think you know when your life is headed, something magical happens and turns it all around. In the 1985 film version, the title role was played by Madonna and Roberta was played by Rosanna Arquette.

Williams was recently seen as Johanna in a staged concert version of Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival Hall. She originated the role of Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and starred as Fran Kubelik in Promises, Promises at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

Price took over the role of Sister Sarah Brown in the West End's most recent revival of Guys and Dolls and starred in the title role of Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at Newbury's Watermill Theatre.

Among the hit songs to be featured in Desperately Seeking Susan are "Heart of Glass," "Atomic," "One Way or Another," "Dreaming" and "The Tide is High." Harry has written "Moment of Truth" especially for this production.

Desperately Seeking Susan will be designed by Tim Hatley.The show is being produced in London by Susan Gallin, Ron Kastner, Mark Rubenstein and Old Vic Productions.