Matthew Goodgame is to replace Noel Sullivan as iconic high school stud Danny Zuko for the final six months of Grease’s run at London’s Piccadilly theatre.
The former Musicality contestant steps into Sullivan’s shoes on 27 September, starring opposite Over The Rainbow runner-up Lauren Samuels, and will continue in the leading role until the musical closes on 30 April 2011.
Goodgame, who currently plays Kenickie in the much-loved tale of high school sweethearts, will join Sullivan, Ray Quinn and Grease Is The Word winner Danny Bayne on the roster of stars to have donned the famous leather jacket during the ever popular musical’s current run in the West End.
The show, made famous by the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, returned to the London stage in July 2007 following a televised search for new stars to take on the lead roles. Since then it has played more than 1,300 performances to over 1,250,000 theatregoers. When its time in London comes to a close, the production will embark on a UK tour.
David Ian, the show’s producer, commented: “This has been the fourth London run in 17 years for this amazing production and the longest ever running show at the Piccadilly theatre. Now we’re taking everyone’s favourite show right across the UK on its greatest tour ever – Grease is indeed the word!!”
MA