Anna Villafañe, Joel Harper-Jackson and Phoebe Panaretos have been cast in Sinatra The Musical
Joel Harper-Jackson will play the legendary Frank Sinatra in the West End premiere of double Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro’s (Memphis The Musical, What’s New Pussycat?) Sinatra The Musical this summer.
Commenting on his latest role, Harper-Jackson (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre, Kinky Boots The Musical, UK tour) said: “Stepping into the shoes of Frank Sinatra is a privilege I don’t take lightly. There is only one Frank, and I’m committed to honouring his legacy with truth, respect and integrity. To collaborate with Kathleen Marshall, Joe DiPietro, Gareth Valentine, Universal Music and, of course, Tina Sinatra is an honour beyond words. Returning to the Aldwych Theatre, where I made my West End debut 11 years ago, feels like coming home. Frank was my grandad’s hero, so this role is deeply personal. Preparation has begun, and I’m so excited to start this journey.”
Harper-Jackson will star opposite award-winning Broadway star Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet, Chicago) as Ava Gardner – the silver screen goddess who became Ol’ Blue Eyes’ second wife – and Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom, Zorro) as Sinatra’s first wife, Nancy Barbato.
Directed by triple Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, The Pyjama Game), Sinatra The Musical will begin performances at the Adelphi Theatre on 3 June. The musical is currently booking up to 10 April 2027.
Announcing the cast, Marshall said: “Joel Harper-Jackson, Phoebe Panaretos and Ana Villafañe are the ideal actors to play Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra and Ava Gardner. They are all amazingly talented, triple threat performers who possess the charm, magnetism and passion to embody these three charismatic and fascinating people.”
Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Tina added: “I was a baby when the events of this show happened. For years, I lived with the effects but never fully understood the cause until I saw these magical actors embody the roles of my dad, my mom and Ava. Amazingly, Joel, Phoebe and Ana illuminate these three people who were very dear to me, and I can’t wait for West End audiences to embrace these remarkable performers as strongly as I have.”
The production was first seen in a sold-out season at Birmingham Rep in 2013 (with Villafañe and Panaretos as Ava and Nancy). Frank Sinatra’s extensive catalogue of timeless tracks from decades of recordings forms the musical accompaniment to the story of the man and the legendary artist. Sinatra The Musical is the first in a series of new projects and initiatives developed by Frank Sinatra Enterprises in partnership with Universal Music Group aimed at introducing new audiences to Sinatra’s life and artistic legacy.
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.