HOW ‘BOUT A DANCE?! THE WORLD WILL REMEMBER THEM and 10 YEARS LATER, they still do. Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan are set to return to the world of crime and the life of……Bonnie & Clyde. The Tony nominated Broadway favorites will be reprising their performances as the titular roles in Frank Wildhorn, Don Black, and Ivan Menchell‘s musical with a ONE NIGHT ONLY 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT in London next year.
BONNIE AND CLUDE IN CONCERT is set for January 18th, 2022 at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane (soon to be the home of the West End production of Disney’s smash hit Frozen). It will be directed by Nick Winston along with a full orchestra led by Katy Richardson.
Additional casting is set to be announced later on.
BONNIE & CLYDE is a musical tells the tale of the ill-fated fugitive lovers themselves “Bonnie Parker” and “Clyde Barrow” and their life of crime during the Great Depression. It features music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, and a book by Ivan Menchell. Notable songs include PICTURE SHOW, HOW ‘BOUT A DANCE, RAISE A LITTLE HELL, THE WORLD WILL REMEMBER US, MADE IN AMERICA, and DYIN’ AIN’T SO BAD.
The show was first conceived by Frank Wildhorn and Don Black following their previous Broadway flop DRACULA THE MUSICAL. For a 2nd chance project, they started writing a set of songs for a the possibility of a cycle inspired by the story of the famous criminals “Bonnie Parker” and “Clyde Barrow”. It was released as a 13 track demo album from Atlantic Records. With a mix of country, blues, and pop, it featured the talents of Wildhorn’s notable crew of stars he’s worked with including…..
Michael Lanning (who worked with Wildhorn on The Civil War),
Rob Evan (known for working with Wildhorn on his notable legendary musical Jekyll & Hyde),
Brandi Burkhardt (who worked with Wildhorn on the development of Wonderland)
and
Wildhorn’s ex-wife and celebrated performer Linda Eder (known as the original “Lucy” in Jekyll & Hyde. She also helped him on Havanna, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, and more).
Following the demo album, the show began to get developed through a set of early development readings including an industry lab at the Roundabout Theatre Company.
From there, BONNIE & CLYDE had its world premiere run in San Diego, CA in 2009 at the La Jolla Playhouse. Under the direction and choreography of Jeff Calhoun, the cast was led by….
Laura Osnes as “Bonnie Parker”,
Stark Sands as “Clyde Barrow”,
Melissa van der Schyff as “Blanche Barrow”,
and
Claybourne Elder as “Buck Barrow”.
The San Diego production was well received by early critics. It also took home 5 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards that same year.
With the San Diego run’s success, the creative team knew there was still that extra work that needed to be done. The following year of 2010, BONNIE & CLYDE had a 2nd Pre-Broadway tryout in Sarasota, Florida at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Majority of the cast was the team with the exception of Jeremy Jordan replacing Stark Sands as “Clyde Barrow”.
The Sarasota run was a smash giving the show the Green Light of hitting our New York Theater scene.
Finally in the Fall of 2011, BONNIE & CLYDE made its Broadway debut at the Gerald Schonefeld Theatre. However, the critics were mixed to negative. In addition, ticket sales were extremely poor causing it to abruptly close after 4 weeks. The Broadway production ran for 33 previews and 36 regular performances.
Despite the show flopping, BONNIE & CLYDE went on to received a huge cult following. It was nominated for 2 Tony Awards in 2012 for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Laura Osnes) and BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (for Frank Wildhorn and Don Black). It was also nominated for 5 Drama Desk Awards including OUTSTANDING MUSICAL. With the Awards, it lost all of its categories.
As always, there is a life for musicals after Broadway. Following its short time, BONNIE & CLYDE went on to launch productions around the world. It has been performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
We cannot wait for Laura and Jeremy to head overseas celebrating 10 years of this incredible cult musical classic.
Who is excited?!!!
