Strong connection scores Moonshadow a Melbourne Premiere: 2012 Princess Theatre

Another world premiere musical is headed to Australia, and this time Melbourne audiences won’t have to wait nearly two years from announcement to opening night. Moonshadow, a new musical written by Yusuf, featuring the music and lyrics of Cat Stevens/Yusuf, will make its World Premiere at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, in May 2012.

The production, which has a budget of $5 million, will feature an all Australian cast and creative team with the exception of director Anders Albien who hails from Sweden. Embarking as a young singer-songwriter in the sixties and with 60 million records sold worldwide, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) has enjoyed one of the most unique careers in pop music history. With an incredible fan base in both East and West, appealing to audiences from all walks of life – young and old, worldly or spiritual – the prospect of a new musical conceived by him and spanning his amazing catalogue is a dream come true.

Yusuf has chosen Melbourne for the global Launch of Moonshadow as he has a strong connection to the city through family and friends, cementing Australia’s reputation as the new ‘off off off Broadway’. Dirty Dancing, Priscilla, Dr. Zhivago, Love Never Dies, An Officer And A Gentleman, King Kong and Strictly Ballroom are among the other musicals which will have debuted down under.

A workshop of this new musical about hopes and dreams; greed and power; right and wrong; took place in Melbourne during October, 2011 and auditions for the world premiere are set to commence in February 2012. It is understood that at least four of the leading roles have been pre-cast – presumably from the workshop – but the supporting roles and ensemble will be cast during the audition process next year.

Through his much loved songs and music Moonshadow will take the audience on an incredible journey with a magical story of a young man and his moonshadow’s struggle against the oncoming of darkness. As the night planet prepares for the big blackout by the death of the Moon, the odd duo battle to overcome the hidden enemy, in search for the mythical land of the lost sun … and everlasting happiness.

Moonshadow weaves together exciting new songs with Yusuf’s most famous and beloved classics from his expansive back catalogue. With hits around every corner, such as Father and Son, Wild World, Morning Has Broken, Peace Train, and First Cut is the Deepest, this musical will not fail to send audiences out happily singing the songs they know so well.

Priority booking registrations can be made through the official website www.moonshadowthemusical.com.au.

General ticket sales will be released in February 2012.  “Well, if you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free, ‘cause there’s a million things to be” – Cat Stevens