Old blue eyes is London bound. Sinatra The Musical, tracking the life of iconic crooner Frank Sinatra to a soundtrack of his greatest hits, will bow in London's West End this summer, with performances beginning at the Aldwych Theatre June 3. Opening night will be June 24.
The musical, featuring a book by two-time Tony winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), has been in development for several years, playing a world premiere run at Birmingham Rep in 2023 and giving a starry, invite-only reading presentation in NYC in 2024. Both of those stagings were directed and choreographed by three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, who will reprise her work for the upcoming West End bow. Both starred Tony winner Matt Doyle in the title role, but casting for the London run is to be announced.
The musical focuses on Sinatra's true life story, tracking his meteoric rise to fame amidst personal struggles, including a marriage to Nancy Sinatra and an infamous affair with actor Ava Gardner. For songs, the musical has tapped some of the songs Sinatra was best known for singing, including "One for My Baby," "The Best is Yet to Come," and "Come Fly With Me."
"When Tina Sinatra approached me about writing a show detailing the origins of her father's genius, she gave me unprecedented access to her dad's personal story," says DiPietro in a statement. "Tina's willingness to share the trials and triumphs of her father's life has enabled Kathleen, myself, and this remarkable team of theatre artists to create the most revealing portrait ever told about the legend that is Frank Sinatra."
The London production will feature scenic design by Peter McKintosh, music supervision by Gareth Valentine, costume design by Jon Morrell, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Jonathan Deans, video design by Akhila Krishnan, and wigs, hair, and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates. Orchestrations are by Larry Blank and John Clayton, with arrangements by Ian Eisendrath and dance arrangements by David Chase. Grindrod Burton Casting is handling casting with U.S. casting by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger—a credit that may mean we can expect some of the Broadway names from the 2024 reading to continue with the project to this full staging. Carol Lee Meadows will serve as associate choreographer.
"My dad used to always say, 'If I can't feel it, I can't sing it.' As a result, he wasn't just singing songs, he was recording an emotional diary of his life. And it's these classic songs that form the heart of Sinatra The Musical," says Tina Sinatra, producing the musical as part of Frank Sinatra Enterprises, in a statement. "Set against the backdrop of my father's meteoric rise, the show reveals a more intimate portrait of the man than any interview or headline ever could. And just like my dad, it's full of music and passion and humor. I am so proud to share his story—our story—at long last."
The project is being produced by Michele Anthony and Bruce Resnikoff for Universal Music Group Theatrical, and Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone for Frank Sinatra Enterprises. Scott Landis and Chris Harper are executive producers, with co-producers including Stephen Byrd, Richard Batchelder, Julie Boardman, Wendy Federman and Lisa Wolofsky, Simon Hunt, Willette and Manny Klausner, Victoria Lang, Larry Magid, Carl Moellenberg, Tom Perakos, Mark Rubinstein, and Ken and Janet Schur. Short Street Productions is general managing.
Ticket sale information is forthcoming. Visit SinatraMusical.com.
