PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 WEEK SEASON ANNOUNCED TOMMY STEELE TO STAR IN SPECTACULAR NEW MUSICIAL AND PRODUCER REVEALS WHY THIS IS THE GLENN MILLER STORY AS IT’S NEVER BEEN TOLD BEFORE In theatres across the UK, from Friday 28 August for 11 weeks only, music legend TOMMY STEELE will take to the stage in a spectacular new imagining of the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader – in The Glenn Miller Story. Featuring a spectacular 16 piece orchestra plus sensational performers and dazzling choreography, the story of one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20th century will be told as never before. For the past 15 or so years Bill Kenwright and his idol Tommy Steele have had supper two or three times every year to talk about the past (mainly Tommy’s past, as Bill can never have enough of Tommy’s stories about rock ‘n roll’s golden era!) the present (Scrooge or Doctor Dolittle) and the future (“we’ve got to find a show Tommy which I can produce for more than 10 weeks in the year like Scrooge!”) The “let’s find another show” conversations have been long and varied. And have possibly included adaptations of every screen musical ever written. It was when discussing a particular favourite of theirs; the James Stewart box office smash The Glenn Miller Story, that Bill discovered that his all-encompassing love for Elvis was equal only to Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Bill learned that Tommy is a true devotee; travelling all over the world to hear what remains of the original Orchestral Sounds, and is steeped in the knowledge and the glory of what Glenn Miller did for popular music. Tommy enthused that Glenn changed the face of it from 1939 – 1943 when he was the most popular recording artist in the world. Some might say similar to what Elvis did from the mid 50’s when he too was the most popular recording artist in the world. The thought of Tommy Steele and The Glenn Miller Story was a wonderful opportunity to create something special in the mind of a producer like Bill. However, as Tommy told him, there was an obvious problem! Although he’s still one of this country’s greatest “8 shows a week” song and dance men, Tommy was too old to play Glenn! It was three years later – at a dinner party celebrating Tommy’s award as the Most Popular Entertainer of All Time at the London Palladium – that they came up with what they believed to be the answer!! What was it?? Come and see for yourself when The Glenn Miller Story is at a theatre near you. But here’s a clue – Tommy Steele will not be the Narrator. Tommy Steele was Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star. Dubbed the UK’s answer to Elvis Presley, he landed his first UK No.1 with Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top spot before Elvis, who didn’t land his until the June that year. The big screen soon beckoned for Tommy, and that same year he filmed The Tommy Steele Story, one of Britain’s great rock ‘n’ roll movies. A soundtrack was released to coincide with the film’s opening and became the first album to reach No.1. His legendary career includes over twenty hit singles, twelve hit movies and countless award winning stage musicals such as Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. In recent years, Steele has starred as Christmas miser Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s spectacular production of the festive musical, which enjoyed two successful runs at the world-famous London Palladium. It was a role that also made Steele the theatre’s alltime record breaking performer, having headlined more performances than any other star in the history of the Palladium. Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright team up again to direct the show, having been at the helm of several awardwinning musicals including Blood Brothers, Evita, and this year’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Choreography is by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer (Top Hat, Evita, Save The Last Dance For Me). The Glenn Miller Story promises to transport audiences young and old back to the days of the big band, and have them up on their feet jiving. His music defined an era; his disappearance stunned the world… It’s been seventy years since Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel as he flew to Paris to entertain the troops during the Second World War. Did he crash? Was he shot down? Will the mystery ever be solved? The cast for The Glenn Miller Story includes Ashley Knight as Chummy MacGregor, Sarah Soetaert as Helen Burger, Jon Bonner, Mike Lloyd, Kieran Kuypers, Tim Maxwell-Clarke, Jessica Ellen, Zoe Nicole Adkin, Siobhan Diffin, Nathan Elwick, Alex Tranter and Jordan Oliver. ENDS For further information, images and interviews, please contact Marika Player at Target Live marika.player@target-live.co.uk | 0203 372 0960 | www.target-live.co.uk THE GLENN MILLER STORY 2015 TOUR DATES Friday 28 August – Saturday 5 September New Wimbledon Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 7646 Website: www.atgtickets.com Monday 7 – Saturday 12 September Southampton, Mayflower Theatre Box Office: 02380 711811 Website: www.mayflower.org.uk Monday 14 – Saturday 19 September Glasgow, King’s Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 7648 Website: www.atgticket.com Monday 21 – Saturday 26 September Newcastle, Theatre Royal Box Office: 08448 112121 Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October Stoke-On-Trent, Regent Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 7649 Website: www.atgtickets.com Monday 5 – Saturday 10 October Blackpool Opera House Box Office: 0844 856 1111 Website: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk Monday 12 – Saturday 17 October Swansea, Grand Theatre Box Office: 01792 475715 Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/TheGlennMillerStory Monday 19 – Saturday 24 October Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre Box Office: 01902 429 212 Website: www.grandtheatre.co.uk Monday 26 – Saturday 31 October Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 Website: www.atgtickets.com Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November Manchester, Palace Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 3019 Website: www.atgtickets.com Monday 9 – Saturday 14 November Cardiff, New Theatre Box Office: 029 2087 8889 Website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk