Tonight's the Night is a jukebox musical based on the songs of British singer Rod Stewart with a book by Ben Elton. It opened in October 2003 at the Victoria Palace Theatre, and ran for just over a year.
A scaled down version of the musical toured the UK between February and July 2006, commencing at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. It was directed by C. Jay Ranger, with new sets, lighting, sound and costumes.
Reviewing the show in The Guardian, Lyn Gardner noted "What it conveniently forgets is that what makes Stewart distinctive is not the haircut or the obsession with booze, football and blondes, but that exquisite cheesegrater voice with its bluesy catch. However gutsy this cast are, however well they can put a song across, the Rod Stewart musical lacks that one essential ingredient."
Original creative team Music and lyrics: Rod Stewart and others Book and direction: Ben Elton Choreography: Stephen Mear Music supervisor/dance arrangements: Gareth Valentine Set and costume Design: Lez Brotherston Lighting design: Mark Henderson Sound design: Rory Madden/Whizz Orchestrator: Colin Towns Casting: Pippa Ailion Producer: Phil McIntyre Producer: Arnold Stiefel Associates: Paul Roberts, Michael Watt, Michael Coppel
Original London cast Stuart Clutterbuck: Tim Howar Sweet Lady Mary: Dianne Pilkington Satan: Hannah Waddingham Baby Jane Golden: Catherine Porter Stoner: Michael McKell Rocky Washington: Tim Funnell Dee Dee: Debbie Kurup Jorgė: Howard Samuels Greaser: Keith Bookman Bonehead: Jeff Edwards Winona: Sharon Clancy Travolta: Tim Walton Bootie: Rebecca Parker Loretta: Tanya Robb Ensemble: Thern Reynolds, Tyman Boatwright, Matthew Boulton, Daniel Delaney, Lucie Fentum, Matt Firth, Emma Gray, Leon Maurice-Jones, Samantha Modeste, Jo Morris, Brenda Jane Newhouse, Ngo Ngofa, Chris Stanton, Dean Street Swings: Lucy Jane Adcock, Jane McMurtrie, Darragh O'Leary, Tino Sanchez, Paul Shipp Dance Captain: Sarah Dickens
2006 UK tour creative team Music and lyrics: Rod Stewart and others Book: Ben Elton Director: C. Jay Ranger Choreography: Denise Ranger Music supervisor/director: Griff Johnson Set design: Andrew Howe-Davies Costume design: Shereen Hibbert Lighting design: Adam Bassett Sound design: Rory Madden/Whizz/Glenn Beckley Casting: Pippa Ailion Producer: Phil McIntyre Producer: Arnola Stiefel Associates: Paul Roberts
2006 UK tour cast Stuart Clutterbuck: Ryan Molloy Mary: Rachel Tucker Satan/Baby Jane Golden: Tiffany Graves Stoner: Jeff Edwards Rocky: Daniel Robinson Dee Dee: Kristina Paraskeva Jorgė: Nathaniel Robinson Greaser: Stepps Understudy Stuart: George Maguire Understudy Mary: Rachael Wood Ensemble: Jon Hawkins, Ian Male, Sam Attwater, Stephen Uppal, Rebecca Bainbridge, Rachael Wood, Stepps, George Maguire, Francesca Jackson, Faye Raye Robertson, Chloe Bell, Victoria Harrington Dance Captain: Stepps Resident Director: Stepps
2006 UK tour crew Production manager: Gordon Isaacs Company stage manager: Jerry Gunn Deputy stage manager: James Hayden Assistant stage managers: Leanne Fagan, Martyn Sands Chief LX: Nico Bray Deputy electrician: Philip Rowe Assistant electrician: Vanessa Lucas (was Marsh) No 1 sound: Glenn Beckley No 2 sound: Aidan Cloney No 3 sound: Noel Baum Production rigger: Nipper Finch Touring carpenter : Dave Edmunds Assistant touring carpenter: Jason Culverwell Head of wardrobe: Sue Casey Wardrobe assistant: Chris Hayward
2006 UK tour band Musical director/Keys 1: Griff Johnson Keys 2: Simon Carr-Minns Lead guitar: [unknown] Rhythm guitar: [unknown] Drums: Matt Bayne / Goran Stajic Bass guitar: Glen Muscroft Transport: Paul Mathew Transport Lighting hire: Whitelight Ltd. Sound hire: Sonalyst
References
External links Phil McIntyre Entertainment, Tonights The Night, UK Tour, 2006. This Is Theatre, Tonights The Night, UK Tour, Tour Dates, 2006. Adam Bassett Design, Lighting Designer, 2011. Sonalyst, Sound Hire, Rory Madden, 2011.