Ivano Turco, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cinderella.’ (Film still: ALWCinderellaVEVO)
Andrew Lloyd Webber is giving us all something to look forward to next season with the arrival of his new adaptation of Cinderella.
The production, a complete reinvention of the classic fairy tale, is based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, the Emmy Award-nominated lead scriptwriter of the second season of the international smash hit “Killing Eve,” with a brand-new score from the Tony Award-winning legendary composer and lyrics by David Zippel.
Polydor Records/UMe has announced the release of the second piece of music from the forthcoming album of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella. “Only You, Lonely You” is sung by the latest cast member to be revealed, Ivano Turco.
It follows the release of “Bad Cinderella” sung by Carrie Hope Fletcher, which was released in October. The upcoming album features the cast from the highly anticipated new theater production, which will open in Spring 2021 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, along with appearances from some surprise guest vocalists.
Turco – who will play Sebastian, the younger brother of Prince Charming – auditioned initially to be in the show’s dance ensemble. Still, Lloyd Webber and director Laurence Connor saw the potential for him to take one of the lead roles, invited him to audition for the role of Sebastian, and a week later, Turco found himself recording his part on the Cinderella album at the legendary Metropolis Studios in London. Turco has just graduated from the renowned Urdang Academy, though like so many graduates this year, he was not able to don a tux for a ceremony and send-off.
Cinderella will mark his West End debut and follows performances in Sleeping Beauty (Imagine Theatre), Runner Up in the All-England National Dance Competition (Hackney Empire), Teen Spirit (feature film), and The Wiz (Milton Keynes Theatre). Before the closure of theaters in 2020, Turco was due to appear in West Side Story at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “I’m overjoyed to introduce Ivano Turco as our Prince Sebastian in Cinderella. I’m convinced audiences will fall in love with him, as we did, on hearing this version of “Only You Lonely You.” Straight out of college, Ivano initially came in to audition as a dancer but has a natural acting talent, a wonderful voice, and an innate charm and warmth, and from the day we met, I just knew I’d found our Prince!”
Cinderella will open at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, with previews from Friday, April 30, 2021.
