New musical about singer’s life premieres this fall
Tony Award-winning Matt Doyle will take on the iconic role of Frank Sinatra in the highly anticipated world premiere of Sinatra The Musical, based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon. This spectacular new musical features 20 actors and 17 musicians performing over 25 of Sinatra’s most legendary songs. It will run at Birmingham Rep from September 23rd through October 28th.
“I have no doubt my Italian grandmothers would be profoundly overjoyed,” Doyle shares. “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 honor it is to take on The Chairman of the Board’s incredible legacy.”
“I am so excited to work with Matt Doyle again!” states director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall. “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.”
“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?” adds Tina Sinatra. “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.”
Matt Doyle won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Jamie in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company, directed by Marianne Elliott, for which he also won Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and received a Drama League Award nomination. His Broadway credits also include Tony-winning musicals The Book of Mormon in the lead role of Elder Price and Spring Awakening; Best Play winner War Horse; and the revival of the beloved musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie. Regionally, he starred in the world premiere of the Huey Lewis musical, The Heart of Rock & Roll at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego; and played Melchoir in the national tour of Spring Awakening. His Off-Broadway and regional credits include Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, A Clockwork Orange, Brooklynite, Giant, and Jasper in Deadland. On screen, he has appeared on CBS’ The Code, the original Gossip Girl, and returned to the show in the Max reboot. He can also be seen in the indie feature Private Romeo, and the short film, The Albatross Cafe. Doyle has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, at symphonies across The United States and Canada, and continues to headline a sold out solo show throughout New York City and beyond. Doyle is currently finishing his run starring as Seymour in the Westside Theatre’s, Off-Broadway production of, Little Shop of Horrors.
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 will be supervised by Gareth Valentine (My Fair Lady, 42nd Street).
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.
Sinatra the Musical is the first of a series of new projects and initiatives developed by Frank Sinatra Enterprises in partnership with Universal Music Group that will help introduce new audiences and fans to the timeless singer’s rich catalogue and superstar legacy.
