Cast announced for Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep with Matt Doyle

Tony Award winner Matt Doyle is to lead the cast of Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep.

The brand new musical, based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon Frank Sinatra, will make its world premiere at the venue from 23 September – 28 October 2023.

Company star Matt Doyle will appear in the production as Frank Sinatra.

He said: “I have no doubt my Italian grandmothers would be profoundly overjoyed. This one is for Geraldine Padula and Nicoletta Macchia who raised my family and me on Frank’s music. I cannot begin to express what an honour it is to take on The Chairman of the Board’s incredible legacy.”

Joining Doyle are Ana Villafañe as Ava Gardner, Phoebe Panaretos as Nancy Sinatra, Dawn Buckland as Dolly Sinatra, Vincent Riotta as Marty Sinatra and Carl Patrick as George Evans. The role of Little Nancy will be shared by Amelia Connor, Effie Gell and Isla Granville.

Completing the company are Maddy Ambus, Lindsay Atherton, Tyler Orphé Baker, Greg Bernstein, Samara Casteallo, Helen Colby Alastair Crosswell, Frances Dee, Alex Gibson-Giorgio, Ryesha Higgs, Stevie Hutchinson, Lottie Power, Spin and John Stacey.

Sinatra The Musical will be bought to the stage by writer Joe DiPietro (What’s New Pussycat? and Memphis) and director & choreographer Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes and The Pajama Game).

Kathleen Marshall said: “I am so excited to work with Matt Doyle again! Matt is an incredible actor and singer, and he has all the charm, charisma, sensitivity and depth to bring the story of Frank Sinatra’s life and artistry to Birmingham Rep.”

Tina Sinatra added: “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! In addition to his extraordinary talent, Matt also possesses an intuitive sensitivity about life that will help reveal the man behind the legend. I can’t wait to see him in the role at Birmingham Rep in the fall! I know Dad will be proud of him.”

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.

For more information and tickets, visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk