Kildare woman has leading role in new musical

Kildare woman Sharon Sexton is once again earning rave reviews across the UK after originating a leading role in the brand-new stage musical adaptation of The Karate Kid.

Former St Mary's College student is the star of the production which features music and lyrics by acclaimed New York composer Drew Gasparini and a book by original Karate Kid screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, whose 1984 film became one of the most beloved cult classics of its generation.

Sexton was selected from thousands of performers to create the role of Lucille LaRusso, Daniel's widowed mother. In the story, Lucille uproots their lives from New Jersey and moves to California during a pivotal period in her son's life. The musical follows Daniel's friendship with karate master Mr Miyagi, who teaches him not only martial arts but also valuable lessons about balance, discipline and finding his place in the world.

READ MORE KILDARE NEWS.

At the heart of the production is the relationship between Daniel and his fiercely devoted mother, with audiences and critics embracing Sexton's portrayal throughout the show's UK run.

"Special mention goes to Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso, Daniel's hard-working mother. Her voice is on point, and she brings real emotional valour to the part," wrote Edinburgh Reviews.

Speaking about the role, Sexton said she was honoured to help create another original character for a new musical.

"It is an honour to be selected to create another role from scratch in a new musical. It's not something I ever take for granted. This is the third time, and it's what every actor dreams of," she said.

One particularly memorable moment came after the show's first preview in Wimbledon, when Sexton met Robert Mark Kamen.

"It was a surreal moment meeting Robert after the first preview," she said.

"What many people don't realise, and what I didn't know, is that The Karate Kid was inspired by his own life story. He grabbed my hands after the show with tears in his eyes and said he was unable to speak because he was so moved and proud. It was an incredibly special moment."

Sexton also worked closely with Gasparini in developing a new song for Lucille, titled If I Could Take His Pain Away. The emotional number, described by Cheshire Live as a "superb showstopper", comes at a key point in the story when Daniel asks his mother to sign the permission slip allowing him to enter the karate tournament.

"Lucille has the power in that moment to hold him back, but she has to let him go," Sexton explained.

"People who grew up with the film are now watching the story through the eyes of a parent, and that's something the musical explores beautifully."

While there are currently no plans for the production to visit Ireland, the show is set to continue with an engagement in Toronto following its UK run.

Closer to home, audiences will have another opportunity to see Sexton perform when she returns to the Moat Theatre in Naas on Saturday, December 19, for Home for Christmas.

Following the success of her sold-out concert appearance earlier this year, Sexton will be joined by her husband, West End star Rob Fowler, for the festive performance. The pair will also be accompanied by a selection of local musical talent, which will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets, priced at €30, are available from the Moat Theatre box office on 045 883030 and through the theatre's website.

The concert offers local audiences a chance to see one of Kildare's most successful performers as she continues to captivate theatre-goers on stages around the world.