Dates, Casting Set for North American Tour of The Red Shoes

The U.K. dance company New Adventures has announced dates and casting for its upcoming U.S. tour of Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes. The Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's 1948 film will be making its North American debut with this production.

The work is described as follows in a press release: "A beloved fairy tale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession, and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance, but her ambitions become a battleground between the two men who inspire her passion."

The tour will kick off with a run at Los Angeles's Ahmanson Theatre from September 15-October 1. Its next destination will be Washington, D.C., where it will play The Kennedy Center from October 10-15. From there, it heads to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Belk Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a series of performances from October 17-22. Finally, the tour winds up at New York City Center from October 26-November 5.

The cast members of the original U.K. production will re-create their performances for this American tour. Ashley Shaw will play Victoria Page, the role she originated. For the New York City Center run, New York City Ballet star Sara Mearns will debut in the role of Victoria Page, joining Cordelia Braithwaite. Throughout the tour, American Ballet Theatre star Marcelo Gomes will step in for Dominic North and play Julian Craster at certain performances, making his debut in the role. Completing the lead trio is Sam Archer as Boris Lermontov, with Jack Jones substituting for him at select shows.

Rounding out the cast is Michela Meazza, Anjali Mehra, Nicole Kabera, Liam Mower, Danny Reubens, Will Bozier, Glenn Graham, Leon Moran, Steph Billers, Jackson Fisch, Joshua Harriette, Daisy May Kemp, Phil King, Dominic Lamb, Katrina Lyndon, Kate Lyons, Andrew Monaghan, Joe Walkling, Katie Webb, and Seren Williams.

The creative team includes Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting), and Paul Groothuis (sound). The U.S. tour will feature a new score using music by legendary Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, arranged by Terry Davies.

For tickets to The Red Shoes at the Ahmanson Theatre, click here.