Naomi Ruiz 
The original 1996 'Clueless' film stars Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash/ Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
Based on the 1995 cult classic film Clueless, Clueless The Musical has begun its next West End debut show in London.
The original score is by British award-winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and lyrics by Glenn Slater —Tunstall is best known for working on Saving Grace and Slater for Tangled, Sister Act, and School of Rock.
With performance credits in Little Shop of Horrors and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Emma Flynn will take on the main role of Cher Horowitz, played by Alicia Silverstone in the original film.
When Flynn was selected for the competitive role of the Beverly Hills Queen Bee, she had been couchsurfing at her friend’s place and auditioning for a completely unrelated part. The casting director had just been accepted for the job of the Clueless Broadway musical, according to Tatler. However, after hearing her sing, they knew she’d be perfect for the lead role immediately.
“She’s an absolute star,” Tunstall said of Flynn in an interview. “One of the things I’m most looking forward to with this show is watching what happens to Emma – I mean, she’s called Emma!”
Tunstall described finding the person for the lead role of Cher as “basically casting a king of rich brat.”
She added: “That was the genius of Alicia Silverstone: she’s just immediately, completely lovable, despite her obvious cluelessness and her flaws.”
Ultimately, Tunstall explains the biggest thing about Cher’s personality is to paint the intention of the musical, her determination to help people.
“She’s looking after her dad. She’s looking after this new girl that comes to school. She’s trying to get everybody hooked up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend,” Tunstall explained.
According to the West End Theatre, the book Clueless The Musical is by the film’s original screenwriter, Amy Heckerling. The musical is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Kelly Devine.
The cast also includes Keelan McAuley as Josh, Chyna-Rose Frederick as Dionne, Romona Lewis-Malleh as Tai, Isaac J. Lewis as Christian, Rabi Kondé as Murray, Blake Jordan as Travis, Max Mirza as Elton, Ryan O’Donnell as Mel, Mr. Hall, and the Driving Instructor, Emily Florence as Amber, and Imelda Warren-Green as Miss G, Miss S, Lucy, and Heather respectively.
The full ensemble includes Sophie Elmes, Jacob Fisher, Aoife Kenny, Josh Latunji, James Lim, Ernest Stroud, and Grace Eleanor Thomas. Swings are Dylan Gordon-Jones, Lucas Luna, Lucy Rice, and Rachel Seirian.
The show runs from February 15 to June 14 at the West End’s Trafalgar Theatre.
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Brandon Foley 
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