Ross Harmon (Get Down Tonight)

Inspired by the early life of musician and producer Harry Wayne Casey, Get Down Tonight is set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Miami and is a celebration of friendship and love, and music that defined a generation. With a book by J.F Lawton (Pretty Woman: The Musical), this musical is packed with over 20 of the band's greatest hits. We took the opportunity to speak with Ross Harmon, who is starring in the show as Harry to tell us more.

Q) Hello Ross. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions today. Before we begin, please could you give us a little insight into Get Down Tonight and the character that you play?

Thanks for having me! Get Down Tonight is a joyous and high-energy journey through history, music and connection. It tells the story of Harry Wayne Casey’s early years in Miami, when he created a new sound that went on to define an era, and the best friends who were such a big part of that story. I play KC himself, which means I get to dive not just into the music but also into the layers of the person who created it. At its heart, it’s a tale of friendship and self-discovery - of course accompanied by the iconic, era-defining songs.

Q) Had KC and the Sunshine Band been a band on your radar before getting involved with this musical? If not, what was it about this musical that piqued your interest and made you want to be involved?

Of course, everyone knows the big hits - songs like That’s the Way (I Like It) and Give It Up. But what really intrigued me was the context in which the music was written. A lot of it came out of a time of huge social and political unrest, with the Vietnam War casting a shadow, so the music was intentionally simple - it was designed to lift people up and distract them from the real world. It was made to make people feel good, and it still does that 50 years later.

Q) Get Down Tonight tells the story of Harry Wayne Casey’s early years in Miami. How does the show balance KC’s personal journey with the band’s iconic music?

Sometimes you feel like you’re at a concert, with us performing the songs directly to the audience, although of course still in character. At other times, the music is woven into the story in a more traditional musical theatre sense, helping drive the narrative forward. It’s a really nice blend of both - you won’t feel short changed if you come expecting the hits, equally you won’t feel disappointed if you come for the storytelling!

Q) How have you found the process of finding your character - how does this process differ when stepping into the shoes of a musical legend as opposed to a fictional character?

Playing a real person could be really daunting so I’ve approached it the same way I would a fictional role - by creating a truthful identity with their own flaws and nuances - but then layering it with everything I’ve learned about Harry himself. He doesn’t want a caricature so I’m not tied to doing an impression or every line being dictated, but there are certain specific parts to these memories and emotions that I‘ve had to infuse into my character, balancing my instincts as an actor with his lived reality. On top of that, the music itself demands real detail; it may sound simple, but because it was written before the days of digital “copy and paste,” every chorus was sung live so every chorus is slightly different. Learning all those details has been a real challenge, but also incredibly rewarding.

Q) The show features over 20 of the KC and the Sunshine Band hits — which number are you most excited to perform, and why?

The bangers are fun and I particularly love our finale Get Down Tonight - but for me, it has to be I Never Thought I’d Love Again. Every singer loves a ballad, so I love singing it, but for the character, it also marks a shift in maturity and is a really truthful reflection on life and love.

Q) Jukebox musicals are on the rise and we’ve seen some incredibly successful ones recently - what do you think it is about jukebox musicals which resonate with theatre audiences?

I think it’s the combination of familiarity and surprise. People walk in already knowing and loving the songs but what they don’t always expect is the emotional weight those songs take on when you connect them with a story. You get the joy of a concert and the depth of a play all in one.

Q) KC described the show as “a sample of life and emotions among four good friends.” How does that theme resonate with you personally?

My friends are everything to me in my life - they are my chosen family. This show really reflects how friendship is complex and sometimes messy, but ultimately strong friendships are built on compromise, trust and forgiveness. And actually that’s something I feel every day with this cast. From day one we’ve laughed, cried, lifted each other up, giggled, vented, called each other out when needed, and laughed some more. Just like KC and his friends supported each other, we support each other in telling this story - and that makes the whole experience even more special.

Q) KC himself has been directly involved in developing the musical. How does having him as part of the process influence the production and your performance?

I spoke with KC at length before we started rehearsals, he’s been in the room with us (around his busy tour schedule) and always in touch on the phone - this makes everything so much more authentic. We’re not just researching him on a Wikipedia page, we’re hearing it directly from him. The show is very personal, and he’s shared things he hasn’t really spoken about publicly before, so we’ve had to handle that sensitively while still staying true to the story. Musically, working with him has been such a privilege. He knows exactly how he hears things in his own voice, but he also wants us to bring our individuality to it - he has been incredibly generous and collaborative, which is a gift for any musician.

Q) The musical was first developed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as Who Do Ya Love? How has it evolved since then into this London premiere?

The heart of the show is the same, but it’s grown hugely in scale and depth. The Fringe version was shorter, so this version gives more time to explore the story and the relationships, alongside bigger staging and, of course, all those legendary songs. JF, our writer, and Lisa [Stevens], our director, have been wonderfully collaborative in letting us as actors shape the material too. We’ve spent a lot of time in the room working to make the scenes feel real and truthful, and that process has made us feel so connected to the story we’re telling.

Q) KC and the Sunshine Band’s music is loved across generations. What do you think makes their songs so timeless?

Joy. Pure and simple. The hooks, the brass, the grooves - it’s all SO joyful. But as a songwriter myself, it has been so interesting to dig deeper - they’re deceptively simple, which makes them accessible, but the detail is what keeps them fresh and timeless.

Q) What do you hope audiences — both those who lived through the 70s and those discovering this music for the first time — will take away from the show?

I hope everyone will leave feeling uplifted. For those who lived through it, it’ll feel like stepping back into that time. For younger audiences, it’s an introduction to music that has shaped so much of what we listen to today. But for everyone, it’s a reminder to celebrate life, cherish your mates, and tell them you love them while you can.

Q) Finally, why do you think audiences should come along?

Because it’s more than just a night at the theatre - it’s a celebration, a concert, and a story all rolled into one. Although I will warn you- you’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night singing the tunes!

Get Down Tonight opens this evening (19th September 2025) and runs until 15th November 2025.

Tickets and More Information

Photography provided by Mobius Industries PR