Having already been in the news for going to the rescue of London’s Mamma Mia! when a leading actress became injured, Steph Parry has now been cast in the role of Dorothy Brook in 42nd Street, replacing Lulu, and opens in the toe-tapping show on 9 July. What a story!
Last week Steph Parry was preparing for her understudy role in 42nd Street when she was called by the company manager of Mamma Mia! after the leading lady was forced off stage with an injury. Rather than see the audience sent home, Parry stepped into the shoes of the injured actress to ensure that the show did indeed go on.
Now she is to take the iconic role of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, following in the footsteps of Lulu who has been playing the legendary diva in the five-star production. The role has also previously been taken by Sheena Easton. Steph’s first performance will be on Monday 9 July. The production has just celebrated the 500th performance of its run.
Parry’s casting in the starring role is a rare case of life imitating art – 42nd Street tells the story of a young actress being given her shot at stardom after the leading lady is injured, and charts the understudy’s rise from showgirl to star.
42nd Street is playing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The production is directed by the show’s co-author Mark Bramble (whose other hit shows include Barnum, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, The Grand Tour) and director of many award-winning previous productions of 42nd Street on Broadway and around the world.
