Frank Wildhorn's new West End musical, 'Your Lie in April,' starring Zheng Xi Yong and Mia Kobayashi, began performances on Friday, June 28, at The Harold Pinter Theatre for a 12-week run.
The manga has been sold in 17 countries for more than 7.5 million copies since its 2011 release. It was adapted into a 22-part anime TV series in 2014 and a Japanese live-action film in 2016. The translated version of the Japanese musical debuted in 2022.
The show's plot, regarded as one of the most well-known romantic stories and heart-wrenchers in Japanese manga history, centers on a young piano prodigy who loses his ability to play after his mother dies. Then, when he befriends a gifted violinist, his life changes.
The theatrical production, which debuted in the UK at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for three concerts, featured music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Carly Robyn Green and Tracy Miller, an English book by Rinne B. Groff, music arrangement and orchestration by Jason Howland, and an original book by Riko Sakaguchi.
As previously announced, the show stars Mia Kobayashi in her professional debut as Kaori Miyazono, Rachel Clare Chan (Oliver!) as Tsubaki Sawabe, and Dean John-Wilson (The King and I) as Ryota Watari. Zheng Xi Yong (Spring Awakening) plays Kosei Arima.
They are joined on stage by Ernest Stroud (as Takeshi, first cover Watari/second cover Kosei), JoJo Meredith (as Derick, first cover Kosei), Chris Fung (as Mi-ike, ensemble), Eu Jin Hwang (as Kaori's Dad, Judge #1), Daniel Nardone (as swing), Ericka Posadas (as Emi/ensemble), Lucy Park (as Kosei's Mom), Gracie Lai (as Kaori's Mom, Judge #2), Imogen Law Hing Choy (as ensemble) and Ria Tanaka (as swing). Hwang, Fung, Stroud, and Meredith are all reprising their roles from Drury Lane.
Composer Wildhorn said, "Your Lie In April is a love letter to the beautiful power of music - to heal, to take us through life's adventures, to create our most precious memories... I've never had more fun than creating this music!"
See photos of the new West End musical 'Your Lie in April!'
