CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF
New musical by Sting, John Logan and Brian Yorkey
Choreography by Steven Hoggett, Directed by Joe Mantello
set for pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago this summer
Tickets on sale February 14 in Chicago
Michael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy Nail, Aaron Lazar,
Sally AnnTriplett, Collin Kelly-Sordelet and Fred Applegate
lead the cast
with October 26th opening
at Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway
“STING: THE LAST SHIP”
– concert filmed at The Public Theater –
to air February 21 on PBS “Great Performances”
CHICAGO (Feb. 13, 2014) – Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that
THE LAST SHIP, the new musical with music and lyrics by
16-time Grammy winner Sting, and book by Tony winner John Logan and
Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey – will begin previews on Broadway at
the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52 St.) on September
30 prior to opening night on October 26, according to producers Jeffrey
Seller and Kathryn Schenker.
THE LAST SHIP is directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello and has choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Steven Hoggett.
THE LAST SHIP
will travel to New York following a pre-Broadway tryout June 10 to July
13 in Chicago at Bank of America Theatre. Tickets to the Chicago
engagement go on sale February 14.
On Friday,
February 21, PBS “Great Performances” will broadcast “STING: THE LAST
SHIP at 9 pm, ET (check local listings). Filmed on Sting's birthday
last fall during a run of benefit concerts for The Public Theater
in New York City, “STING: THE LAST SHIP” features Sting joined by 14
musicians, including Jimmy Nail, performing songs from the album and
musical. The telecast offers unique insight into the creative process
behind THE LAST SHIP, with Sting providing a glimpse
into the narrative of the play through the songs on his new album and
his experience emerging from a songwriting hiatus to pen his first album
of original material in nearly a decade.
Inspired by Sting's own childhood experiences,
THE LAST SHIP marks the renowned musician's Broadway debut as a composer.
Principal roles in the cast of
THE LAST SHIP will be played by Michael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy
Nail, Aaron Lazar, Sally Ann Triplett, Collin Kelly-Sordelet and Fred
Applegate. Additional casting for the ensemble will be announced at a
later date.
As well, the producers have announced
THE LAST SHIP's design team: set and costume design by Tony
nominee David Zinn; lighting design by Tony winner Christopher Akerlind
and sound design by Tony winner Brian Ronan.
THE LAST SHIP
is set in the English seafaring town of Wallsend, a close-knit
community where life has always revolved around the local shipyard and
the hardworking men construct magnificent vessels with
tremendous pride. But Gideon Fletcher dreams of a different future.
He sets out to travel the world, leaving his life and his love behind.
When Gideon returns home 14 years later, he finds the shipyard's future
in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart
engaged to someone else. As the men of Wallsend take their future into
their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream
that defines their existence, Gideon realizes that he left behind more
than he could have ever imagined.
THE LAST SHIP
is a portrait of a community so bound together by passion, faith and
tradition, they'll stop at nothing to preserve the only life they've
ever known.
Performances of THE LAST SHIP will
begin at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre (18 West Monroe Street) on
June 10, 2014 for a five-week-only limited engagement through July
13, 2014.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are
available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago
Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In
Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph
St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago
Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and
online at
www.BroadwayInChicago.com
.
To view a video of Sting discussing the origins of
The Last Ship, visit:
CAST
Michael Esper
has appeared on Broadway in Green Day's musical AMERICAN IDIOT, THE
LYONS and A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. Off-Broadway credits include Tony
Kushner's THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM
AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES and Edward Albee's ME,
MYSELF AND I.
Rachel Tucker
– an Irish singer and actress who appeared the West End production of
WICKED, and was a finalist on the BBC's televised talent series “I'd Do
Anything” – will make her Broadway debut in THE
LAST SHIP.
Jimmy Nail is an accomplished singer-songwriter and actor, a native of Wallsend, where
THE LAST SHIP is set. Mr. Nail first earned acclaim on the
television series “Auf Wiedersehen, Pet” and “Spender,” which he
co-wrote. He appeared in the films EVITA and STILL CRAZY. He has
released several albums of his own music, including “Growing
Up in Public” and “Big River.” His collective body-of-work has
received five BAFTA nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.
THE LAST SHIP marks his Broadway debut, as well.
Aaron Lazar has appeared on Broadway in MAMMA MIA, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, IMPRESSIONISM, LES MISERABLES and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.
Sally Ann Triplett's
credits on London stages in the West End include leading roles in THE
BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, FOLLIES, CHESS, GREASE, CATS, ANYTHING
GOES, GUYS AND DOLLS and many more. She
made her Broadway debut in the musical CARRIE.
Fred Applegate's numerous Broadway roles include in THE PRODUCERS, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, SISTER ACT and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Colin Kelly-Sordelet makes his Broadway debut in
THE LAST SHIP.
(Rachel
Tucker and Jimmy Nail are appearing with the support of Actors' Equity
Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity
Association for its assistance of this production.)
DESIGNERS
David Zinn
was nominated for a Tony Award for his costume designs of IN THE NEXT
ROOM. He has done both costume and scenic design for SEMINAR, costume
design for XANADU, GOOD PEOPLE, BENGAL TIGER AT THE
BAGHDAD ZOO, OTHER DESERT CITIES, PICNIC, THE OTHER PLACE and ROCKY on
Broadway, and scenic design for the upcoming VIOLET. He has done scenic
and costume design for opera companies across the U.S. including New
York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera and Lyric Opera
of Chicago.
Chris Akerlind
is a five-time Tony Award nominee who won the Tony Award for THE LIGHT
IN THE PIAZZA and was nominated for SEVEN GUITARS, AWAKE AND SING, THE
GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS and 110 IN THE SHADE.
His other Broadway productions include END OF THE RAINBOW, THE TALE OF
THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, WELL and THE PIANO LESSON.
Brian Ronan
is a four-time Tony nominee, having won for his design for THE BOOK OF
MORMON. His many other Broadway credits include BEAUTIFUL, ANNIE, BRING
IT ON, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, ANYTHING GOES,
EVERYDAY RAPTURE, PROMISES, PROMISES, AMERICAN IDIOT, NEXT TO NORMAL,
GREASE, CURTAINS, SPRING AWAKENING, GREY GARDENS, THE PAJAMA GAME, ALL
SHOOK UP, 12 ANGRY MEN and others.
PRODUCERS
Producer
Jeffrey Seller is the winner of three Tony Awards for Best Musical:
RENT (1996), which also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama; AVENUE Q
(2004); and IN THE HEIGHTS (2008). He has also produced and/or
developed DE LA GUARDA, Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, Baz Luhrmann's
production of PUCCINI's LA BOHEME, HIGH FIDELITY, title of show, WEST
SIDE STORY and BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO.
He directed the premiere of the musical FLY last summer at Dallas Theater Center.
Producer
Kathryn Schenker has over 30 years experience in the entertainment
business. As Sting's longtime manager, she has worked side by side with
him for most of her professional career. She
has produced three Emmy Award winning musical specials including
A&E PRIVATE SESSIONS, A&E IN CONCERT-STING SACRED LOVE, and
STING...ALL THIS TIME. Schenker has also produced numerous music
documentaries including the upcoming PBS “Great Performances” STING:
THE LAST SHIP, among others. In 2012, Schenker received the
prestigious Cannes Lion Award for developing and co-producing the
groundbreaking STING 25 YEARS iPad App. She is the daughter of the late
Joel W. Schenker, a Tony Award nominated Broadway producers
and one of the original members of the Theatre Guild.
Joining
Mr. Seller and Ms. Schenker as producers of THE LAST SHIP are Kevin
McCollum, Sander Jacobs, James L. Nederlander, Roy Furman, Herb Alpert
and Jerry Moss.
Kevin
McCollum is producer of the Broadway hit MOTOWN and has won the Tony
Award for Best Musical as producer of AVENUE Q, IN THE HEIGHTS and RENT,
which also won the Pulitzer Prize and was made
into a motion picture. He also produced THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Baz
Luhrmann's LA BOHEME, HIGH FIDELITY, [title of show], the debut stage
production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS and the Off-Broadway hit
DE LA GUARDA.
Sander
Jacobs' most recent successes are the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best
Musical IN THE HEIGHTS and its national tour, and the 2009 Tony
Award-nominated WEST SIDE STORY revival and its national
tour. Mr. Jacobs has served as co-producer and/or major investor for
numerous Broadway, national and international productions, including a
selection of the theatre's most celebrated and critically acclaimed
musicals: LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA,
GRAND HOTEL and FOLLIES are among his many investments. His business
career began with the creation of a multi-product fashion manufacturing
and distributing company and quickly expanded to include ventures in the
real estate and cosmetic industries.
James
L. Nederlander is President of the Nederlander Organization and is the
son of James M. Nederlander (Chairman). His most recent Broadway
productions include SPIDER MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK,
KINKY BOOTS, ROMEO AND JULIET and AFTER MIDNIGHT. Other Broadway
credits: I'LL EAT YOU LAST, MIKE TYSON: UNDISPUTED TRUTH, WEST SIDE
STORY, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, WHO'S
AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? with Kathleen Turner and
Bill Irwin and MOVIN' OUT.
Roy
Furman's numerous Broadway productions include THE BOOK OF MORMON,
Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, ANNIE, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF,
LUCKY GUY, WAR HORSE, EVITA, THE HERIESS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY,
WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, SPAMALOT, THE COLOR PURPLE and THE HISTORY
BOYS. He is vice chairman, Lincoln Center, and chairman emeritus, Film
Society Lincoln Center.
Herb
Alpert was the recipient of the National Medal of Arts Award.
Co-founder of A&M Records, with Jerry Moss, Alpert won his ninth
Grammy Award in 2014 for his album “Steppin' Out.” Alpert is
a professional painter, sculptor, philanthropist and has produced SEVEN
GUITARS, BROKEN GLASS, ANGELS IN AMERICA, JELLY'S LAST JAM and
CRYPTOGRAM on Broadway.
New
York born Jerry Moss was cofounder with Herb Alpert of A&M records
and Rondor Music Publishing. A&M signed and distributed many
worldwide successful recording artists among whom was Sting.
Moss has lately turned his and his wife Ann's sporting interest to
horse racing where their colt, Giacomo, won the 2005 Kentucky Derby, and
the filly Zenyatta became a 3-time champion and 2010 Horse of the
Year. Moss was also an investor in both the Australian
and Broadway productions of THE BOY FROM OZ.
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
STING
(Score) Composer, singer, author, actor and activist, Sting is one of
the world's most renowned and distinctive artists. Throughout his
enduring career, he has earned 16 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an
Emmy, three Oscar nominations, and has sold close to 100 million albums
from his combined work with the Police and as a solo artist. He is a
member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, has appeared in more than 15 films
and authored two books, including the New York Times best-selling
memoir, “Broken Music.” His fourteenth solo album, entitled THE LAST
SHIP, is inspired by the story of his forthcoming play
of the same name and draws upon his memories of the shipbuilding
community of Wallsend in the North East of England where he was born and
raised. PBS' “Great Performances” will premiere STING: THE LAST SHIP
on February 21, featuring Sting performing songs
from both the album and play captured live at The Public Theater in New
York City. Sting and Paul Simon recently embarked on a North American
tour, blending their voices for many years of their best-known songs and
performing individual sets with their respective
bands. For further information, please visit: sting.com
JOHN LOGAN
(Book) John Logan received the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League awards for his play
Red, directed by Michael Grandage. This play premiered at the
Donmar Warehouse in London and at the Golden Theatre on Broadway. Since
then
Red has had more than 200 productions across the US and has been
presented in over 30 countries. He is also the author of more than a
dozen other plays including
Never The Sinner and Hauptmann. In 2013, his new play Peter and Alice premiered in London and
I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers opened on Broadway. As
a screenwriter, Logan has been three times nominated for the Oscar and
has received a Golden Globe, BAFTA and WGA award. His film work includes
Skyfall, Hugo, The Aviator, Gladiator, Rango,
Coriolanus, Sweeney Todd, The Last Samurai, Any Given Sunday, and
RKO 281. He is currently writing the next James Bond film and is
in production for “Penny Dreadful,” a drama series he created and is
producing for Showtime.
BRIAN YORKEY
(Book) received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score, for
Next to Normal. Brian was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for
Next to Normal, and his work on the show earned him the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Score. Brian is currently at work on
If/Then, a new musical with Next to Normal composer Tom
Kitt, director Michael Greif, and producer David Stone, which will open
at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in March 2014. He is also
working with Tom Kitt on a stage musical adaptation
of Tom McCarthy’s acclaimed film The Visitor. Brian and Tom are also writing songs for the stage adaptation of the much-loved movie
Magic Mike and for Diablo Cody’s feature film adaptation of the Sweet Valley High books. Brian’s musical film
Time After Time is in pre-production at Lionsgate/Summit. Film projects in active development include
Score! for Team Downey and Warner Bros., Love Undercover for Pandemonium Films, and
Chase for Anonymous Content and Rosenzweig Films. Brian’s other theatre credits include
Making Tracks, which has played off-Broadway and regionally, the musical adaptation of Ang Lee’s
The Wedding Banquet and the country musical Play It By Heart.
Brian has directed off-Broadway and regionally and for seven years was
associate artistic director at Village Theatre in Washington state, one
of the nation’s leading producers of
new musicals. He’s a graduate of Columbia University, where he was
artistic director of the Varsity Show, an alum of the BMI/Lehman Engel
Musical Theatre Workshop and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and
the WGA.
JOE MANTELLO (Direction). Directing credits include I’ll Eat You Last, The Other Place, Dogfight, Other Desert Cities, The Pride, Pal Joey, 9
to 5, November, The Receptionist, The Ritz, Blackbird, Three Days of Rain, The Odd Couple, Glengarry Glen Ross (Tony® nomination), Laugh Whore, Assassins (Tony Award®), Wicked, Take
Me Out (Tony Award®), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, A Man of No Importance, Design for Living, Terrence McNally and Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking for San Francisco Opera, The Vagina Monologues, Bash, Another
American: Asking and Telling, Love! Valour! Compassion! (Tony® nomination),
Proposals, The Mineola Twins and Corpus Christi. As an actor: The Normal Heart (Tony® nomination), Angels in America (Tony® nomination) and The Baltimore Waltz.
He is the recipient of Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk,
Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, Clarence Derwent, Obie and Joe A. Callaway
Awards. He is a member of Naked Angels and an associate artist at
Roundabout Theatre Company.
STEVEN HOGGETT (Choreography). Broadway: Once (also West End. Obie Award, Lortel Award, Calloway Award),
The Glass Menagerie (also A.R.T.), Green Day’s American Idiot, Peter and the Starcatcher (Lortel Award). West End: The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time (also National Theatre). Rocky The Musical (Stage Entertainment,
Hamburg), Rigoletto (Metropolitan Opera), The Full Monty (Sheffield Theatres), Dr Dee (Manchester International Festival / ENO),
The Light Princess, Dido Queen Of Carthage, The Hothouse and Market Boy (National Theatre),
Let The Right One In, Black Watch (Olivier Award, Best Choreographer),
The Bacchae, 365, The Wolves in the Walls (National Theatre of Scotland). As founding Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly, his director/choreographer credits include Little Dogs (with National Theatre Wales), Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout, Othello,
Stockholm, Pool (No Water) and Dirty Wonderland. With Scott Graham, Steven co-wrote The Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre (Routledge).
