Vikki Stone says she is "incredibly proud" to have worked with local talent from the East.
Ian McEwan's novel has also been made into an Oscar-winning 2007 film starring Keira Knightley.
Cumberland Council says works to the roof and the auditorium will be finished by mid-June.
The 120-year-old venue twice survived potential closure and will now reopen after a four-year renovation project.
The major project could take months to complete.
David Lindsey steps down after managing Middlesbrough Theatre for almost 27 years.
The star says a surge in new productions is driving growing interest in musical theatre across Scotland.
The BBC is allowed inside the Grade II listed Kursaal, which now has a new leaseholder.
National Lottery funding will help the Marlowe Theatre to renovate the Poor Priests' Hospital.
