The Last Ship: Sting musical arrives 30 Sep 2014

Michael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy Nail, Aaron Lazar, Sally Ann Triplett, Collin Kelly-Sordelet and Fred Applegate will star in the principal cast of the Broadway premiere of The Last Ship, with an original score by 16-time Grammy Award winner Sting. Additional casting for the ensemble will be announced at a later date.

The Last Ship will open at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre on 26 Oct 2014, following previews from 30 Sep 2014, following it's pre-Broadway World Premiere at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre from 10 Jun - 30 Jul 2014.

The musical features direction by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello ('Wicked'), a book by Tony Award winner John Logan ('Red') and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey ('Next to Normal') and choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony Award Nominee Steven Hoggett ('Once').

The Last Ship: Life in the English seafaring town of Wallsend has always revolved around the local shipyard, where the hardworking men of this close-knit community construct magnificent vessels with tremendous pride. But Gideon Fletcher dreams of a different future. He sets out to travel the world, leaving his life and his love behind. When Gideon returns home fourteen years later, he finds the shipyard's future in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart engaged to someone else. As the men of Wallsend take their fate into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that has defined their existence, Gideon realizes that he left behind more than he could have ever imagined.

The creative tem features sets and costumes by David Zinn, lighting by Christopher Akerlind and sound by Brian Ronan.

Sting said,

The memories at the heart of The Last Ship have occupied my mind for most of my life. I was compelled to tell this story, and I've had the great fortune of collaborating with an enormously talented team."

Sting has received sixteen Grammy Awards for his work, receiving his first Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1981, and an Oscar nomination for the best song. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of the rock band "The Police."

Bios:

Fred Applegate's Broadway credits include 'Sister Act,' 'La Cage aux Folles,' 'Young Frankenstein,' 'The Producers' and 'The Sound of Music.'

Michael Esper has appeared on Broadway in 'The Lyons,' 'American Idiot' and 'A Man for All Seasons.' He recently starred as 'Dr. Kenneth Jordan' on the short-lived NBC TV series "Do No Harm."

Aaron Lazar's Broadway credits include 'A Little Night Music,' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' 'Les Misérables,' 'The Light in the Piazza,' 'Oklahoma!,' 'Mamma Mia!' and 'The Phantom of the Opera.' On TV he starred as 'O'Brady Shaw ' in the comedy 'The Onion News Network.'

Jimmy Nail is making his Broadway debut. The English singer and actor has starred on British TV in 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' and 'Spender.'

Collin Kelly-Sordelet is making his Broadway debut.

Sally Ann Triplett has previously starred on Broadway in 'Carrie.' She has starred in London's West End in 'Acorn Antiques,' 'Anything Goes,' 'Chicago,' 'Grease,' 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Mamma Mia!.'

Rachel Tucker is a Northern Irish singer and actress. She was a finalist on the British TV series Talent show 'I'd Do Anything,' which searched for a 'Nancy' to star in the 2009 revival of 'Oliver!' On the London stage she has starred as 'Elphaba' in the musical 'Wicked,' a role she has played longer than any other actress in the production's history. She has previously appeared on Broadway in the swing of the musical 'The Lion King.'