This year, Jerry Mitchell is making his producer debut, when he co-produces King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre in London, with the musical opening for previews on Saturday 7th June and running until Sunday 6th July. Jerry is working with Martin Storrow (book, music and lyrics), Richard Israel (director), and the world premiere production is starring Alfie Blackwell (as Sam Crow) and Dan Burton (as Arthur Crow). As a well-established director and choreographer, Jerry’s most recent production BOOP! The Musical opened for previews on Tuesday 11th March at Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway, which stars Jasmine Amy Rogers, and another recent production – The Devil Wears Prada – premiered at Theatre Royal, Plymouth before heading to the West End at the Dominion Theatre, which is booking into 2026. After a successful run on Broadway and in the West End, Jerry’s production of Pretty Woman: The Musical is currently touring the US, and in 2013, Jerry won a Tony Award for Best Choreography and was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical for Kinky Boots. Further productions during Jerry’s extensive directing and choreographing career so far have included Becoming Nancy, the Gloria Estefan musical On Your Feet!, Legally Blonde, La Cage aux Folles (for which he won a Tony Award), Hairspray, and Follies, which marked his first time out of the United States and saw him work with Diana Rigg, Julia McKenzie and Sir Cameron Mackintosh. We caught up with Jerry about his producing debut in the upcoming run of King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre in London, his recent director/choreographer shows BOOP! The Musical and The Devil Wears Prada and his extensive directing and choreographing career over the years.
For the first time in your career, you will be taking on the role of a producer when you co-produce the upcoming run of King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre in London, what are you looking forward to for producing a musical?
I am looking forward to the collaboration and being able to support Martin Storrow and Richard Israel.
Was there anything that encouraged you to be part of King of Pangea and how was it reading Martin Storrow’s script for the first time?
Martin’s music made me feel deeply about the story and the characters. His melodies are hauntingly beautiful.
How differently are you approaching this production to your directed/choreographed shows?
I do not need to find the solutions, I only need to ask the questions.
What do you think this musical will be like to work on?
All musicals are, for me, a joy because you’re easily sharing. Sharing a story you feel deeply about sharing.
Can you tell us about King of Pangea and the lead character Sam Crow?
Come find out for yourself. Take the journey with all the characters towards HOPE.
Who do you think will enjoy watching King of Pangea and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the world premiere in London, which runs from 7th June until 6th July?
You will feel better about yourself, your world and your relationships and how you can harvest the love you want in your life by living.
You have directed and choreographed BOOP! The Musical, which opened for previews on Broadway on 11th March, how has it been creating the show and how does it feel now it’s open at the Broadhurst Theatre?
Joy, Joy, Joy! I set out to tell a very basic, cartoon if you will, simple story and the audiences have been responding in rapturous standing ovations night after night. Jasmine Amy Rogers has emerged a STAR but I knew that going in. It’s nice to see the world is in agreement!
What have you enjoyed most about directing/choreographing The Devil Wears Prada, and how has it been seeing the response to the UK and West End premieres at Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Dominion Theatre?
It’s always about the company you keep. Working in the theatre is no exception. Everyone collaborating on PRADA has brought such fun and creative energy to the show. I love to cultivate that in the work place.
With Pretty Woman: The Musical currently on tour in the US after successful runs on Broadway and in the West End, what was this production like to direct and choreograph?
Having the opportunity to bring Pretty Woman to the stage and all over the world has been amazing. I saw the film when it first came out and knew it would make a great night out as a musical. It is a LOVE STORY that everyone wants to see work out.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time working on Kinky Boots, which saw you win the 2013 Tony Award for Best Choreography and be nominated for Best Direction of a Musical?
I am going to sound like a broken record but so many amazing artists I got to collaborate with, Cyndi (Lauper) and Harvey (Fierstein) at the top of that list as well as Billy Porter, Matt Henry, Killian Donnelly, Amy Lennox just to name a few were definite highlights.
Over your extensive directing and choreographing career so far, you have been part of many further productions including Becoming Nancy, the Gloria Estefan musical On Your Feet!, Legally Blonde, La Cage aux Folles (for which you won a Tony Award) and Hairspray, can you say about some of your stand-out highlights?
I think one of the greatest highlights was my first impression working in the West End on Follies with Diana Rigg and Julia McKenzie for Sir Cameron Mackintosh. I was 26 and it was my first time out of the US and I had no idea the WEST END was every bit as fabulous as Broadway. It opened my eye to the possibility of working globally with all my productions, and now some 40 years on I have been able to do just that.
Where does your love of directing and choreographing come from and how did you originally get started in the industry?
I was born a storyteller and have been creating shows my entire life, I am most alive when creating theatre.
What do you find the most rewarding aspect of your career?
Being able to do what I love every day.
Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
Right now, I am seeing everything on Broadway as it is awards season. I am always amazed and grateful for the amazing choices of styles and stories on Broadway and in the West End, so many different types of musicals and plays.
What advice would you give someone hoping for a career like yours?
Always say YES. If the opportunity presents itself, especially when you are just starting out, say yes and start to build those relationships with other artists.
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