Photos

Sinatra the Musical – West End rehearsal photos released

Fly them to the Aldwych!

Tanyel Gumushan

Tanyel Gumushan

| London |

19 May 2026

Joel Harper Jackson with Company pic by Craig Sugden 100
Joel Harper Jackson and cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden

Sinatra The Musical has revealed rehearsal photos ahead of its West End run.

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.

As already revealed, Joel Harper-Jackson will play Frank Sinatra, joined by Ana Villafañe as Ava Gardner, Phoebe Panaretos as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra and Jenna Russell, who will play Dolly, Frank Sinatra’s mother.

Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner) Sinatra The Musical, pic by Craig Sugden 910
Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) and Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Jenna Russell (Dolly Sinatra) Marty Mcguire (Marty Sinatra) pic by Craig Sugen 049
Jenna Russell (Dolly Sinatra) and Marty Mcguire (Marty Sinatra) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Phoebe Panaretos (Nancy Sinatra),Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra),Becky Anderson (Lana Turner), Pic by Craig Sugden 412
Phoebe Panaretos (Nancy Sinatra), Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra), Becky Anderson (Lana Turner), in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) plus Sinatra the Musical Company, pic by Craig Sugden 982
Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) and cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden

The company is completed by Oliver Adam-Reynolds (Nat King Cole/ensemble), Becky Anderson (Lana Turner/ensemble), Carl Au (Lee Mortimer/ensemble), Sam Brown (Tommy Dorsey/ensemble), Helen Colby (Hedda Hopper/ensemble), Emma Crossley (swing), Adam Davidson (Gene Kelly/ensemble), Alexander Day (swing and dance captain), Christopher GoPaul (swing), Stuart Hickey (swing), Jenna Innes (Judy Garland/ensemble), Marty Maguire (Marty Sinatra), Mia Musakembeva (ensemble), Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday/ensemble), Samuel Nicholas (ensemble), Nardia Ruth (swing), Christina Shand (swing and assistant dance captain), John Stacey (Mitch Miller/Harry Cohn/ensemble), Allana Taylor (Marlene Dietrich/ensemble) and Lee Zarrett (George Evans).

Sylvie Regan, Mia Savident and Felicity Walton share the role of Little Nancy.

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.

Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) Lee Zarrett (George Evans) Pic by Craig Sugden 317
Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) and Lee Zarrett (George Evans) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday) Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) pic by Craig Sugden 340
Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday) and Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner) Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) Sinatra the Musical by Craig Sugen 181
Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner), Joel Harper Jackson (Frank Sinatra) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Sinatra The Musical in rehearsal pic by Craig Sugden 405
The cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Sinatra The Musical in Rehearsal, pic by Craig Sugden 664
The cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Jenna Russell (Dolly Sinatra) Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner) in Sinatra The Musical by Craig Sugden 886
Jenna Russell (Dolly Sinatra) and Ana Villafañe (Ava Gardner) in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Sinatra the Musical Company in rehearsal 472
The cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden
Sinatra The Musical Company in rehearsal by Craig Sugden 122
The cast in rehearsals for Sinatra the Musical, photo by Craig Sugden

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