The upcoming London Frank Sinatra biomusical Sinatra The Musical has found its title star in West End favorite Joel Harper-Jackson. The stage star will lead the musical when performances begin at the Aldwych Theatre June 3 ahead of a June 24 opening night.
Co-starring will be Ana Villafañe as Ava Gardner and Phoebe Panaretos as Nancy Sinatra. Both Villafañe and Panaretos are reprising their performances from the musical's 2023 world premiere at Birmingham Rep, and a 2024 invitation-only reading in NYC.
Tickets will go on sale February 4 at SinatraMusical.com.
"Stepping into the shoes of Frank Sinatra is a privilege I don’t take lightly," says Harper-Jackson in a statement. "There is only one Frank, and I’m committed to honoring his legacy with truth, respect, and integrity. To collaborate with Kathleen Marshall, Joe DiPietro, Gareth Valentine, Universal Music and, of course, Tina Sinatra is an honor beyond words. Returning to the Aldwych Theatre, where I made my West End debut 11 years ago, feels like coming home. Frank was my grandad’s hero, so this role is deeply personal. Preparation has begun, and I’m so excited to start this journey."
The musical, featuring a book by two-time Tony winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis), is being directed and choreographed by three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, who has been attached since the 2023 world premiere.
"Joel Harper-Jackson, Phoebe Panaretos, and Ana Villafañe are the ideal actors to play Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, and Ava Gardner," adds Marshall. "They are all amazingly talented, triple-threat performers who possess the charm, magnetism, and passion to embody these three charismatic and fascinating people."
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."
"I was a baby when the events of this show happened. For years, I lived with the effects but never fully understood the cause until I saw these magical actors embody the roles of my dad, my mom, and Ava," says Tina Sinatra, who serves on the project's producing team. "Amazingly, Joel, Phoebe, and Ana illuminate these three people who were very dear to me, and I can't wait for West End audiences to embrace these remarkable performers as strongly as I have."
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.
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.
Visit SinatraMusical.com.
