World premiere of Frank Sinatra: The Musical to be held in Birmingham - how to get tickets & dates

A musical about the life of the legendary Amercian singer and actor Frank Sinatra will premiere at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre this autumn.

The singer, nicknamed ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ is best known for hits including Come Fly Me, and My Way. The New Jersey-born star was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and is among the world’s best-selling music artists. He also embarked on a prestigious acting career which saw him earn an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

The show, which is based on the life and career of the cultural icon, has been co-produced by The Rep along with Frank Sinatra’s youngest daughter Tina, and and Charles Pignone on behalf of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.

His daughter Tina says the show will provide a ‘perspective on my father that you’ve never seen before’.

When does the show take place?

The musical will mark the 70th anniversary of Sinatra’s visit to Birmingham, where he performed during his UK tour in 1953.

The show will receive its world premiere at The Rep from Saturday 23 Septmeber to Saturday 28 October 2023.

What storyline will the musical follow?

The musical, which takes place in New York during the 1940s, will follow Sinatra’s downfall and comeback as he tries to balance his family life with his fame and the pressures it brings.

The musical’s synopsis reads: “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.”

What has Sinatra’s daughter and others said about the musical?

Tina Sinatra said: “I am very proud of our new musical production and I’m especially delighted that, for the first time, we’re going to give you a perspective on my father that you’ve never seen before.”

The much-anticipated production has been bought to the stage by two-time Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro and Olivier Award-winning director and choreographer, Kathleen Marshall.

Joe DiPietro, who has written the book, said:“Growing up, there were two pictures hanging in my grandmother’s kitchen — The Pope and Frank Sinatra. So to sit down with Tina Sinatra and hear stories of her father which no one else knows, and then to be able to put those stories on stage – well I think it’ll make for an unexpected and thrilling new musical. We’ll be showing you how the man became the legend and how the legend was — at the end of the day — just a man.

“And I couldn’t be more excited that our world premiere is at Birmingham Rep, where I had such a phenomenal time working on What’s New, Pussycat?”

Sean Foley, double Olivier Award-winner, Tony nominee and Artistic Director of The Rep, Birmingham said: “The Rep is thrilled to be co-producing this world premiere production about the legendary artist Frank Sinatra. His was an extraordinary life, and this promises to be an unmissable show about that life. We look forward to welcoming Kathleen Marshall and the rest of the world class cast and creative team to create the show about his life with us right here in Birmingham.

“In particular, we welcome back Joe DiPietro to The Rep, where his Tom Jones musical, What’s New Pussycat? so thrilled audiences last year.”

How can I get tickets and how much are they?

Tickets for the show are available to buy online through The Rep website, here.

They cost £15.