Album Review: Cool Rider Cast Recording

Cool Rider Cast Recording

Released on Monday 29th June 2015
★★★★

Last year Cool Rider (known to many as Grease 2) began its theatrical journey with a one-night-only concert staging at the Lyric Theatre. The production then returned for a week-long West End residency at the Duchess Theatre and now, due to popular demand, the company have reunited for a cast recording. 

Release date confirmed for Cool Rider cast album

It has been confirmed that the Cool Rider cast album will be released on 29th June 2015. 

Based on the 1982 cult movie (which is the sequel to Grease), Cool Rider was staged in the West End at the Lyric and Duchess Theatres last year. 

The score features celebrated songs such as Who’s That Guy?, Score Tonight, Cool Rider, Reproduction, Girl for all Seasons and the haunting melody of Rock-a-Hula Luau (Summer Is Coming).

The album sees Ashleigh Gray (Wicked) and Aaron Sidwell (Loserville) returning to lead the cast alongside Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen).

The rest of the principal cast includes: Niki Evans (Legally Blonde), Mark Anderson (Book of Mormon), Bronté Barbé (Shrek), Daniel Buckley (Loserville), Joshua Dowen (Dogfight), Lucinda Lawrence (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Hannah Levane (Sister Act) and Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon).

Kickstarter campaign launched for Cool Rider Live cast recording

Following its West End run last year, producers of Cool Rider Live have announced plans to release a cast album and a Kickstarter campaign has been launched. 

The West End cast included Ashleigh Gray, Aaron Sidwell, Stewart Clarke and Mark Benton; however, casting for the album will be confirmed at a later date. If you plegde money for the album, various rewards are avaliable with producers aiming to raise £12,000.

The limited edition recording will feature numbers including 'Back To School', 'Score Tonight', 'Cool Rider', 'Who's That Guy?', 'Reproduction', 'Do It For Our Country', 'Charades (you can skip it)', 'Prowlin'', 'Girl For All Seasons', '(Love Will) Turn Back The Hands of Time', 'Rock-A-Hula-Luau (Summer is Coming)' and 'We'll Be Together'. A release date hasn't been announced. 

Review: Cool Rider at the Duchess Theatre

Cool Rider
Duchess Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 16th April 2014

I woke up this morning thinking 'did that really happen?' Following the overwhelming sell-out success of the one-night-only staging of Cool Rider (known to some as Grease 2) at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year, the show has returned to the West End, running at the Duchess Theatre for just seven performances.

Full casting announced for Cool Rider

Full casting has been announced for Cool Rider which returns to the West End next month. The production runs at the Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th April 2014.

Mark Benton (Hairspray/Waterloo Road) will star as Mr Stuart and Niki Evans (Legally Blonde/X Factor) as Ms Mason. Hannah Levane (Flashdance/We Will Rock You West End) returns to play Paulette.

Also joining the cast are Stewart Clarke (Ghost/Loserville, pictured right) as Jonny, Luke Fetherston (Singin’ in the Rain/Top Hat) as Goose, Joshua Dowen as Louis, Harry Francis (A Chorus Line/Wicked) as Davey, Bronte Barbe (Over The Rainbow) as Sharon and Lucinda Lawrence (Kiss Me Kate/Love Never Dies) as Rhonda.

Cool Rider returns for week-long run at the Duchess Theatre

Ashleigh Gray in Cool Rider

Following its one night success at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year, Cool Rider (the cult musical sequel to Grease) will return to the West End for one week only. 

The production will open at the Duchess Theatre on Wednesday 16th April 2014 (previews from 15th April) and run until Saturday 19th April 2014.

Ashleigh Gray and Aaron Sidwell will once again sing the roles of Stephanie and Michael which were played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield in the movie.

Ashleigh Gray’s recently returned to the West End production of Wicked as standby Elphaba. Her credits include: Martha in the UK Tour of The Secret Garden, Lorraine in the UK Tour of I Dreamed A Dream, Kim in the UK Tour of Taboo, Miss Lynch in the UK Tour of Grease, Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Ashleigh has also made guest appearances in Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Interview: Ashleigh Gray

Ashleigh Gray has one of the most incredibly powerful voices in musical theatre. She is currently preparing to star as Stephanie for one night only alongside Reece Shearsmith, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy in the West End premiere of Cool Rider (aka Grease 2) at the Lyric Theatre.

Ashleigh is best known for her long association with the West End production of Wicked. She originally joined the show in 2007 as part of the ensemble whilst understudying Elphaba. She then took over as Standby Elphaba in June 2008 and stayed with the show until March 2010. Ashleigh briefly returned to Wicked as emergency cover in October 2010 and in February 2011. Recently Ashleigh returned to Wicked once again as Standby Elphaba between October and December 2013 proving popular with the hit musical’s loyal fan base.

The performer’s UK Touring credits include: Martha in The Secret Garden, Lorraine in I Dreamed A Dream – The Susan Boyle Musical, Kim in Taboo and Miss Lynch in Grease. She has also starred as Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and as Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Just a few of her concert appearances include: Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Recently I spoke to Ashleigh about why she’s so excited to be starring in Cool Rider, what it’s like to take on one of the most iconic and sought after roles in musical theatre and which three songs she would take with her to a desert island…

Cool Rider has such a cult following. How much did you know about it prior to auditioning?

When I was growing up I was a huge fan of the first Grease and then I just loved the sequel, so when I found out they were doing it in the West End I thought ‘How do I get tickets for this?’ but then obviously the casting started and I was even more excited to be a part of it!

Ashleigh Gray, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy join cast of Cool Rider

Further casting has been announced for Cool Ruder (aka Grease 2) which will play two performances only on Monday 27th January 2014 at the West End’s Lyric Theatre. 

Joining the previously announced Reece Shearsmith as biology teacher Mr Stuart are Ashleigh Gray as Stephanie, Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Hannah Levane as Paulette and Niall Sheehy as Johnny.