Lead role announced for the World Premiere of Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep

This spectacular new musical features twenty actors and seventeen musicians performing over twenty five of Frank Sinatra’s most legendary songs.

Based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon and backed by Sinatra’s daughter Tina it will run at Birmingham Rep from 23 September to 28 October 2023. And now it has been announced that Tony Award-winning Matt Doylewill take on the iconic role of Frank Sinatra himself, in the highly anticipated World Premiere.

Matt 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.”

The musical centres around a pivotal time in the legend’s life. 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.

What is the storyline for Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep?

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 Frank Sinatra’s family said about the musical?

Sinatra, The Musical is presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Michele Anthony, Bruce ResnikoffandScott Landis for Universal Music Group Theatrical and and Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone on behalf of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.

Tina Sinatra said: “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 myfather’s complexities. And oncehe 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.”

Who has written Sinatra The Musical?

Sinatra The Musical is written by the two-time Tony award-winning writer Joe DiPietro(Memphis the Musical, What’s New Pussycat?), directed by three time Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall (Wonderful Town, Anything Goes) and the set is designed by Olivier Award-winning Peter McKintosh(Crazy for You, Orlando).  The orchestra of seventeen musicians will be supervised byGareth Valentine(My Fair Lady, 42^nd Street).

Joe DiPietrosaid: “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?”

Director and Choreographer 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.”

What has Birmingham Rep said about hosting the World Premiere of Sinatra The Musical?

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 two-time Tony Award winning writer, Joe DiPietro, and three-time Tony Award winning Director/Choreographer Kathleen Marshall, together with the rest of the world class creative team to Birmingham very shortly. I am thrilled that Tony Award winner Matt Doyle will lead the cast in the iconic role of Frank Sinatra himself. Matt is an extraordinary talent, and I know that our audiences will welcome him and the rest of the cast with excitement and open arms.”