Sinatra: The Musical
2023 biographical musical
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sinatra: The Musical is a biographical jukebox musical written by Joe DiPietro based on the life and music of Frank Sinatra. It premiered at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in September 2023.
| Sinatra | |
|---|---|
| The Musical | |
West End production poster | |
| Music | Various |
| Lyrics | Various |
| Book | Joe DiPietro |
| Basis | The life and music of Frank Sinatra |
| Premiere | 23 September 2023: Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
| Productions | 2023 Birmingham 2024 New York reading 2026 West End |
Production history
World premiere: Birmingham, UK (2023)
The musical's premiere was at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where it had a limited run from 23 September 2023 to 28 October. The production was directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, and produced by the Birmingham Rep in association with Universal Music Group Theatrical and Frank Sinatra Enterprises.[1][2][3] Tony-Award winning actor Matt Doyle starred as Frank Sinatra,[4] with Ana Villafañe playing Ava Gardner, and Phoebe Panaretos as Frank Sinatra's first wife, Nancy Sinatra.[5]
New York industry reading (2024)
Following the Birmingham run, the musical had an invitation-only reading at the Apollo Theater in New York City on November 21, 2024 with the full orchestra. The cast featured Doyle, Villafañe and Panaretos reprising their roles as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Nancy Sinatra joined by Caroline Duffy Concannon as Little Nancy, Toni Di Buono as Dolly Sinatra, Mark Lotito as Marty Sinatra, and Brad Oscar as George Evans. The ensemble also featured David Abeles, Clyde Alves, Amber Ardolino, E. Clayton Cornelious, Stephen DeRosa, Donna English, Matthew Griffin, Nathan Lucrezio, Katerina McCrimmon, Morgan McGhee, Angel Reda, and Maya Lynn Sistruck.[6]
London's West End (2026)
The Birmingham production opened in London's West End at the Aldwych Theatre with previews beginning 3 June 2026 (with a press night on 24 June), booking until April 2027. Joel Harper-Jackson was cast as Frank Sinatra, joined by Villafañe as Ava Gardner and Panaretos as Nancy Sinatra. Jenna Russell joins as Dolly Sinatra.[7]
Cast and characters
| Character | Birmingham | West End |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2026 | |
| Frank Sinatra | Matt Doyle | Joel Harper-Jackson |
| Ava Gardner | Ana Villafañe | |
| Nancy Sinatra | Phoebe Panaretos | |
| Marlene Dietrich | Maddy Ambus | Allana Taylor |
| Gene Kelly | Greg Bernstein | Adam Davidson |
| Dolly Sinatra | Dawn Buckland | Jenna Russell |
| Hedda Hopper | Helen Colby | |
| Judy Garland | Frances Dee | Jenna Innes |
| Nelson Riddle | Alex Gibson Giorgio | Sam Brown |
| Billie Holiday | Ryesha Higgs | Melissa Nettleford |
| Lee Mortimer | Stevie Hutchinson | Carl Au |
| Nat King Cole | Tyler Orphé-Baker | Oliver Adam-Reynolds |
| George Evans | Carl Patrick | Lee Zarrett |
| Lana Turner | Lottie Power | Becky Anderson |
| Marty Sinatra | Vincent Riotta | Marty Maguire |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. | Spin | N/a |
| Mitch Miller / Harry Cohn | John Stacey | |
| Little Nancy | Amelia Katie Connor Effie Gell Isla Granville |
Sylvie Regan Mia Savident Felicity Walton |
| Ensemble | Samara Casteallo Alastair Crosswell |
Mia Musakembeva Samuel Nicholas |
| Swing | Lindsay Atherton | Emma Crossley Alexander Day Christopher Gopaul Stuart Hickey Nardia Ruth Christina Shand |
