Sinatra the Musical unveils West End stars

Sinatra The Musical has announced three West End stars coming this summer.

The production, which previously ran at the Birmingham Rep in 2023, charts the life of Frank Sinatra, tracing his early rise in the 1940s, his personal relationships and the challenges that shaped his career.

Set on New Year’s Eve 1942, the musical follows Sinatra as he prepares to walk onto the stage of the Paramount Theatre in New York, a moment that propels him into national fame.

The score includes more than 20 Sinatra songs such as “That’s Life”, “One for My Baby”, “The Best Is Yet To Come” and “Come Fly With Me”. It will run at the Aldwych Theatre this summer, with performances set to begin on 3 June ahead of a press night on 24 June.

Joel Harper-Jackson will play Frank Sinatra, joined by Ana Villafañe as Ava Gardner and Phoebe Panaretos as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra.  

The creative team includes director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, with set design by Peter McKintosh. Gareth Valentine will supervise an orchestra of seventeen musicians, joined by Jon Morrell on costumes, Bruno Poet on lighting, Jonathan Deans on sound and Akhila Krishnan on video. Hair, wigs and make‑up are by Campbell Young, with orchestrations by Larry Blank and John Clayton, arrangements by Ian Eisendrath and dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting, with Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger handling US casting. Carol Lee Meadows serves as associate choreographer.

The show is produced by Michele Anthony and Bruce Resnikoff for Universal Music Group Theatrical, alongside Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone for Frank Sinatra Enterprises. Executive producers are Scott Landis and Chris Harper, with UK general management by Short Street Productions Ltd and a wide co‑producing team.

It marks the first in a new series of projects from Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Universal Music Group aimed at introducing the artist’s work to new audiences.

Further casting for the West End run will be announced in due course.