Southwark Playhouse and Danielle Tarento have released a recording of “Pretty Funny” on YouTube ahead of the upcoming European premier of award-winning musical, Dogfight, based on the 1991 movie of the same name.
After it’s great success off-Broadway, the producer behind the Southwark Playhouse’s most notable hits (Parade, Victor/Victoria, and Titanic – which transferred to New York) is bringing the Lucille Lortel 2013 Awards “Outstanding Musical” to London for six weeks only.
With music and lyrics by duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Time Out New York have described the score as, “Easily the most delicate, surprising, musically satisfying score since Spring Awakening.” In this track sung by lead Laura Jane Matthewson, who will play Rose in the London production, it’s easy to see why. Lilting and bittersweet with a rousing and unexpected middle-eight, if “Pretty Funny” is anything to go by, the rest of the score should be fantastic; especially if Matthewson brings the same heartfelt performance to the show that she demonstrates on YouTube.
Until the show opens, this should keep you going for a while, although the full original off-Broadway cast recording is available on Spotify. Given Tarento’s track record with both the Southwark Playhouse and the Menier Chocolate Factory, this will undoubtedly be a summer show not to be missed.
Dogfight will play at Southwark Playhouse, London, SE1 6BD, from 8 August – 13 September 2014. Preview tickets (8-12 August) are £12. Tickets are £22 (concessions available). To book, visit http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.
Grumpy Gay Critic 
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