Drew McOnie’s first season as artistic director of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is set to begin with a popular American musical centered around corn.
This summer, *Shucked* will make its UK debut on the theatre’s outdoor stage in London, where the lush environment will complement the rural comedic tale set in the fictional Cob County. The musical, created by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Robert Horn, tells the story of battling against dwindling harvests and was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 2023. Currently, it is touring across the United States.
Directed by Jack O’Brien, the London production will feature Ben Joyce, known for his portrayal of Marty McFly in *Back to the Future: The Musical*. The cast will also include Sophie McShera, recognized for her role as Daisy in *Downton Abbey*, and Georgina Onuorah, who played Angelica Schuyler in *Hamilton*.
*Shucked* will premiere in May, followed by *Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill* in June. This performance will showcase the innovative interpretations of dream ballets from the duo’s musicals *Allegro*, *Oklahoma!*, and *Carousel*, reimagined by some of the foremost theatre choreographers today: Julia Cheng, Shelley Maxwell, and Kate Prince.
Later this summer, a new staging of Dominic Cooke’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s *Noughts & Crosses* will be helmed by Tinuke Craig. Following that, McOnie will both direct and choreograph *Brigadoon*, a classic by Lerner and Loewe, adapted by Rona Munro. The season will also include a return of the musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s *The Enormous Crocodile*, which originally premiered at Leeds Playhouse and was performed at Regent’s Park last summer.
McOnie, who assumed leadership of the 1,240-seat venue following Tim Sheader’s departure to the Donmar Warehouse, expressed that the outdoor setting provides “a wonderful chance to connect with stories beneath the open sky.” James Pidgeon, the executive director, conveyed his excitement about the continuation of the theatre’s commitment to offering £15 tickets, with 36,000 seats available at that price over the season.
