Book, Music and Lyrics by Adam Gwon
Directed by Adam Lenson
Designed by Bec Chippendale. Lighting by James Smith.
Musical Direction by Richard Healey. Sound by Mike Thacker.
Presented by Chris Hancock in association with Steph Joab for Treasuretrove Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre
Cast: Julie Atherton. Kenneth Avery-Clark. Hayley Gallivan. Lee William-Davis.

The European Premiere of a new fully-staged musical with an outstanding West End cast

Sundays and Mondays, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 November 2008

“This painting reminds me of people like us. Thousands of tiny specks huddled together in random arrangements that nobody expects. Every dot on its own, ordinary and pale but thrown together one by one they make this dazzling, joyous, hopeful sort of fairy tale.“

When Deb loses her most precious possession – the notes to her graduate thesis – she unwittingly starts a chain of events that turns the ordinary days of four New Yorkers into something extraordinary. Told through a series of intricately connected songs and vignettes with an outstanding West End cast, Ordinary Days is an original musical about growing up and enjoying the view.

This European premiere of a vibrant new musical introduces London to American composer and lyricist Adam Gwon, one of the most startlingly talented young musical dramatists working today. Recently named one of "50 to Watch" by The Dramatist magazine, his talents have been recognised with a much coveted $25,000 composer’s grant from Signature Theatre to develop a new full-length musical as part of the American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation. His other musicals include the forthcoming Bernice Bobs Her Hair with librettist Julia Jordan, Ethan Frome with bookwriter Michael Ruby, and Lulu. In anticipation of the European premiere of Ordinary Days, Adam Gwon will be appearing in an exclusive concert featuring extracts from Ordinary Days and selected material from his other works, all performed by stars from the West End and Broadway. The concert will take place on Saturday 1 November 2008 at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge.

Julie Atherton’s credits include Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q (Noël Coward Theatre), Serena in Fame (Aldwych Theatre and National Tour), Kolokolo Bird in Just So (Chichester Festival Theatre), and, most recently, The Last Five Years (Theatre Royal Haymarket).
Kenneth Avery-Clark appeared in the original London cast of both The Producers (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Novello Theatre) and, most recently, appeared in The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Hayley Gallivan’s credits include Fiddler on the Roof (National Tour), The Boy Friend and Lady Be Good (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) and Follies in Concert (London Palladium).
Lee William-Davis’ theatre credits include Eddie in Mamma Mia! and Valentine in Mary Poppins (both at the Prince Edward Theatre), Love’s Labour’s Lost (National Theatre) and Aladdin (Old Vic).

Director Adam Lenson has assisted Nikolai Foster on the National Tour of Aspects of Love, Terry Johnson on La Cage Aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Rachel Kavanaugh on The Music Man at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

The Press on Composer and Lyricist Adam Gwon
“An extremely talented composer and lyricist.” Marin Ireland, The New York Sun
“Adam's sense of storytelling, his fresh point of view and his insight into the human condition are astounding for such a young writer.” Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, writers of Ragtime and Lucky Stiff

The Press on Ordinary Days
“London’s hottest ticket - the entire run was sold out ahead of last night’s opening. Now that’s not entirely surprising with a run this short and a theatre this small - but it also shows a hunger and appetite for this kind of work in London that is not being met elsewhere.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“Gwon’s appearance in London with a show that only received its US premiere back in July is a heartening sign.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“Told entirely in song (and brilliantly-written song at that), the action moves between two couples who are struggling to see what’s in front of their eyes, the sometimes literal bigger picture in their lives.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“The Finborough’s intimate space is transformed with a minimalist set.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“The accomplished cast taking us on a journey of growth, understanding and love.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“A bright and witty show, convincingly performed by four talented actors with verve and wonderful comic timing.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“The singing is exceptional...Their diction, pitch and vocal depth are spot-on, with not a single missed note.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“The music (performed by Richard Healey on piano and Stephanie Harsant on cello) perfectly underlines the action from the opening to the uplifting final song.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“One suspects this won’t be the last we hear of Adam Gwon. Highly recommended.” Carol Gordon, Whatsonstage

“It heralds a lot of welcome promise. Not least for the fact of that discovery - there are now new ways for composers to reach out with their work and find creators who want to put it on. This staging duly follows a mere four months after its first production at Penn State University.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“Gwon - trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts - has a vibrant ear for melody and a strong lyrical voice.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“The show comes across as a through-sung cross between Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World and Maltby and Shire’s Closer than Ever.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“Director Adam Lenson does a smart job of revealing the patterns and connections that are being sketched here, and giving them a carefully blended sense of fluidity.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“Richard Healey and Stephanie Harsant anchor the songs with the lovely arrangements that they play on piano and cello respectively.” Mark Shenton, The Stage

“The production is also a testament to the love and commitment that the company bring to it, and Julie Atherton - arguably London’s leading lady of new musical voices thanks to her ongoing commitment to the Notes from New York series - is ideally complemented by the solid, full-voiced presence of Kenneth Avery-Clark, while Hayley Gallivan and Lee William-Davis bring a quirky sense of individuality to their characters.” Mark Shenton, The Stage