Georgie Rankcom will direct new musical Dark of the Moon, which will have its world premiere at Charing Cross Theatre this May.
Dark of the Moon is a supernatural tale of powerful witchcraft, small-town prejudices and the power of love. This timeless, spellbinding new musical portrays the clash of two dynamically polarized worlds—a charming rural Appalachian town and the mystical world of witches and warlocks from the Smoky Mountains that loom high above. The show’s unique musical score reflects those conflicting worlds using a thrilling blend of country/bluegrass and rock. Barbara Allen – a human girl and John – a curious witch-boy – find each other and defy their communities to build a life together. But will love conquer all – or will they be haunted by a deal that was made by the dark of the moon?
Based on the 1941 play by Howard D Richardson and William Berney, the musical features a book by Jonathan Prince (American Dreams) and music and lyrics by songwriters Lindy Robbins (Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper), Dave Bassett (Elle King’s Ex’s and Oh’s) and Steve Robson (Rascal Flatts’ What Hurts the Most).
Additional members of the creative team are choreographer Jane McMurtrie, musical supervisor Brad Haak, musical director Matt Herbert, orchestrator Dillon Kondor, casting director Peter Noden, production designer Libby Todd, lighting designer Jonathan Chan and sound designer Andrew Johnson.
The show is produced by WitzEnd Productions LLC (Michael Jackowitz and Jeffrey Grove), and Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited and is general managed by Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited. Dark of the Moon is presented by special arrangement with the Richardson/Yale Property Trust, Elliot S Blair, administrator.
Originally written by Richardson and Berney while students at the University of Iowa in the early 1940s, the play is loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad Barbara Allen. Following its original Broadway production by the Shubert Organization, the play has been widely produced internationally and has attracted notable performers and directors including Paul Newman, George C Scott, Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones. Sir Peter Brook directed a London production at the Ambassador Theatre in 1949.
The story has recently re-entered the cultural conversation through references in the Stranger Things stage play The First Shadow and the final season of the hit Netflix series.
Dark of the Moon will run at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday, May 18 to Saturday, August 8, 2026. Full casting and creative team to be announced in due course.
Tickets here.
Top image: Dark of the Moon artwork (image supplied)