Everything you need to know about 'Sinatra The Musical'

The biographical show is coming to the West End, starring Joel Harper-Jackson as the musical icon in this story of his life and career.

Summary

• Sinatra The Musical is coming to the Aldwych Theatre in the West End
• The show explores the life and work of the great Frank Sinatra
• Joel Harper-Jackson stars as Sinatra
• The show is written by Joe DiPietro and directed by Kathleen Marshall

Ol’ Blue Eyes is coming to the West End in the form of a revealing new stage musical all about Frank Sinatra’s life and career. The show is written by the Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro (Memphis, What’s New Pussycat?) and helmed by the Tony- and Olivier-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Top Hat).

Starring Joel Harper-Jackson (Kinky Boots) as Frank Sinatra, the show features numerous Sinatra hits, including “That’s Life”, “The Best is Yet to Come”, and “Fly Me to the Moon”. It’s an unmissable one for any fans of his music – as well as those intrigued to learn more about a true cultural icon.

Book Sinatra The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is Sinatra The Musical about?

Sinatra The Musical begins at a pivotal moment in its title character’s career, as this young Italian-American talent gives a famous concert at the Paramount Theatre in New York in 1942. He soon becomes a major star, renowned for his performances, recordings, and roles in Hollywood movies.

But with that success comes difficulties at home. Sinatra’s marriage to his first wife Nancy becomes increasingly troubled, especially as he begins an affair with movie icon Ava Gardner. He soon reaches a crisis point in both his work and personal life, and must fight to make the biggest comeback in entertainment history.

Who wrote Sinatra The Musical?

The show features a book written by Joe DiPietro. The American playwright and lyricist is a two-time Tony Award winner, known for shows such as Memphis, What’s New Pussycat?, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Toxic Avenger, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

When was Sinatra The Musical first performed?

The show had its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2023, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, and starring Matt Doyle as Frank Sinatra. It then had an industry reading in New York in 2024, and it now makes its West End premiere at the Aldwych Theatre.

Who are the characters in Sinatra The Musical?

The characters in Sinatra The Musical include:

• Frank Sinatra: the legendary artist who has just hit the big time in the show but is also facing numerous challenges.
• Nancy Sinatra: Frank’s first wife and the mother of his three children.
• Ava Gardner: the Hollywood star who had an affair with Sinatra.
• Dolly and Marty Sinatra: Frank’s Italian immigrant parents.

Where is Sinatra The Musical playing?

The show is playing at the Aldwych Theatre on Aldwych right in the heart of London’s West End. The theatre has a capacity of 1,122.

When is Sinatra The Musical playing?

Sinatra The Musical is booking from 3 June 2026 to 10 April 2027. Performances take place from Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm.

How long is Sinatra The Musical?

The running time of the show is to be confirmed.

Who is in the cast of Sinatra The Musical?

This new production stars Joel Harper-Jackson as Frank Sinatra. His numerous credits including Standing at the Sky’s Edge and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the National Theatre, COCK in the West End, the Kinky Boots UK tour, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Movie goddess Ava Gardner will be played by Ana Villafañe, while Phoebe Panaretos will star as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra.

Who is in the creative team of Sinatra The Musical?

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs the show. Her previous work includes Anything Goes on Broadway and at the Barbican in London, The Boys from Syracuse and Pajama Game on Broadway, and Top Hat in the West End.

The creative team also features Olivier-winning set designer Peter McKintosh (Top Hat, Orlando, 42nd Street) and Olivier-winning costume designer Jon Morrell (Top Hat, Anything Goes, Gotta Dance!).

What are some fun facts about Sinatra The Musical?

• Although Frank Sinatra has been immortalised in various forms before, this is the first official musical based on his life and career, and offering new insights into the behind-the-scenes workings as he became a generation-defining star.

• This is an incredibly apt medium in which to tell Sinatra’s story, as his daughter Tina explained. She commented: “My dad used to always say, ‘If I can’t feel it, I can’t sing it’”, making his songs essentially “an emotional diary of his life” – and a truly intimate one at that.

• Sinatra hits include “That’s Life”, “The Best is Yet to Come”, “New York, New York”, “One For My Baby”, “You Make Me Feel So Young”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Love and Marriage”, and “Fly Me to the Moon”.

• Sinatra The Musical balances these indelible hits by delving into the darker side of Frank Sinatra’s life, particularly his adultery and messy relationships. He was married four times in all, to Nancy Barbato, Ava Gardner, Mia Farrow and Barbara Marx, and was also linked to famous women such as Marilyn Monroe.

Book Sinatra The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Main photo credit: Sinatra The Musical (Courtesy of the production). Inset: Frank Sinatra, Jonathan Bailey and Joel Harper-Jackson in COCK (Photo courtesy of Sinatra The Musical, photo by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg)