Acclaimed West End star Joel Harper-Jackson to play title role in SINATRA THE MUSICAL
Photo credit: Alexis Chabala and Seamus Ryan
It has been announced that Joel Harper-Jackson will play Frank Sinatra in Sinatra The Musical – the West End premiere of the new musical based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon, which begins performances at the Aldwych Theatre on 3 June.
He is joined by Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet!, Broadway) as the movie goddess Ava Gardner and Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, Sydney) as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra.
Joel Harper-Jackson (Cock; Standing at the Sky’s Edge, West End) said: “Stepping into the shoes of Frank Sinatra is a privilege I don’t take lightly. There is only one Frank, and I’m committed to honouring 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 honour beyond words. Returning to the Aldwych Theatre, where I made my West End debut eleven 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.”
Director Kathleen Marshall commented: “Joel Harper-Jackson, Phoebe Panaretos and Ana Villafañe are the ideal actors to play Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra and Ava Gardner. They are all amazingly talented, triple-threat performers who possess the charm, magnetism and passion to embody these three charismatic and fascinating people.”
Tina Sinatra added: “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. 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.”
It is New Year’s Eve, 1942, and a skinny 27-year-old Italian American singer is about to step onto the stage of New York’s Paramount Theatre and give a performance that will change music history. As Frank Sinatra’s career suddenly skyrockets, he struggles with balancing the love of his wife, Nancy, against the demands and temptations of being the most popular singer in America. But when he begins a torrid affair with movie goddess Ava Gardner, his records stop selling and the press turns against him, sending his career into a tailspin. Driven by his devotion to his family, Sinatra employs his peerless artistry and dogged determination to stage the greatest comeback in showbiz history.
Sinatra The Musical is written by the two-time Tony award-winning writer Joe DiPietro, with direction and choreography by three-time Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall, set design by Olivier Award-winning Peter McKintosh, musical supervision by Gareth Valentine, costumes by Jon Morrell, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Jonathan Deans, video design by Akhila Krishnan, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, orchestrations by Larry Blank, arrangements by Ian Eisendrath & Gareth Valentine, dance arrangements by David Chase, casting by David Grindrod, CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting, and US casting by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger.
Further casting for Sinatra The Musical will be announced at a later date.
