Cast announced for THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East

Adapted by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog), The Harder They Come will return to the Stratford East Theatre in September, where the original stage version premiered to acclaim back in 2006.

The cast features Danny Bailey (Girl from the North Country) as José, Josie Benson (Stalled, King's Head Theatre) as Daisy, Craig Blake (Get Up Stand Up!, Lyric Theatre) as Ray, Madeline Charlemagne (Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as Elsa, Natey Jones (Titus Andronicus, The RSC) as Ivan, Jason Pennycooke (Hamilton) as Preacher, Simon-Anthony Rhoden (The Hot Wing King, National Theatre) as Pedro, and Thomas Vernal (Hamilton) as Hilton.

The ensemble includes Chanice Alexander-Burnett (who also serves as cover for Elsa), Lori Barker (On Stage Swing), Ashh Blackwood, Aisha Davis (who also covers the role of Daisy), Kage Douglas (On Stage Swing), Robert Grose (covering the roles of Ray & José), Lauren Azania AJ King-Yombo, Jack Matthew (covering the role of Pedro), Newtion Matthews (covering the roles of Preacher & Hilton), and Marcellus Whyte (covering the role of Ivan).

Based on the cult classic film, The Harder They Come follows Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, determined to live out his dreams on his own terms and make it as a music superstar. When he obtains a record deal with a manipulative music mogul, his rise to popularity in the charts also lands him on the most-wanted list of criminals.

The Harder They Come will play at Stratford East from 13 September to 25 October.