The world premiere of Sinatra, The Musical at the Birmingham Rep this autumn will see top American actor and singer Matt Doyle in the title role.
The spectacular new musical features 20 actors and 17 musicians performing more than 25 of Frank Sinatra’s most legendary songs.
Based on the life and career of the legendary artist, and backed by Sinatra’s daughter Tina, it will run at Birmingham Rep from 23 September to 28 October 2023.
The Tony Award-winning Matt Doyle said: “I have no doubt my Italian grandmothers would be profoundly overjoyed. I cannot begin to express what an honour it is to take on The Chairman of the Board’s incredible legacy.”
The musical centres around a pivotal time in the legend’s life. 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 presented by Birmingham Rep with the full support of Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Tina Sinatra.
Tina Sinatra said: “Sinatra is the first book musical to take an honest look at my father’s life, so the question people kept asking – who could possibly play him? From the moment Matt Doyle swaggered into the audition room, he owned the role.
“Not only did he naturally possess Frank’s warmth and charm, Matt understood my father’s complexities. And once he began to sing, we knew we had found our Frank! I can’t wait to see him in the role at Birmingham Rep in the fall! I know Dad will be proud of him.”
Doyle won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Jamie in Marianne Elliott’s Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company. His other Broadway credits include The Book of Mormon, in the lead role of Elder Price, Spring Awakening, War Horse and Bye Bye Birdie.
This latest Rep production is brought to the stage by a world class creative team including writer and two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro, with the director the three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall.
Joe DiPietro said: “Growing up, there were two pictures hanging in my grandmother’s kitchen — The Pope and Frank Sinatra. So to sit down with Tina Sinatra and hear stories of her father which no one else knows, and then to be able to put those stories on stage – well, I think it’ll make for an unexpected and thrilling new musical.
“And I couldn’t be more excited that our world premiere is at Birmingham Rep, where I had such a phenomenal time working on What’s New, Pussycat?”
To book tickets, visit https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/sinatramusical/.
