Sting-scored musical, "The Last Ship," will come to Broadway in the fall of 2014 after a run at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago from June 10 through July 13, 2014.
The score was inspired by Sting's childhood, growing up in a shipbuilding community in northeast England. Sting told Rolling Stone, "I was raised in this surreal industrial landscape that is still the landscape of my dreams," he said. "And some of my nightmares. I watched many ships being launched, and there is something terrifying, apocalyptic and haunting about the even that never leaves you."
The story takes place during the 1980s and follows Gideon Fletcher, a man from the seafaring town of Wallsend. Fletcher embarks on a 14-year journey around the world but returns to find his shipyard on the brink of collapse and his lover engaged to another man. He and the shipyard workers decide to take action and build a great ship that will sail out into the world.
However, the music won't have you're typical Sting sound. "I wanted to music to reflect the traditional music of the northeast of England where I grew up," he Rolling Stone. "As well as tipping my hat to the great music of the theatrical tradition."
The storyline for the musical was written by Tony winner John Logan ("Red") and Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey ("Next to Normal"). It will be directed by two-time Tony winner Joe Mantello ("Wicked") with choreography from Tony nominated Steven Joggett ("Once"). Sting, himself, has won 16 Grammy Awards, so the musical has a pretty all-star team behind it.
Sting will be released his album "The Last Ship" on Sept. 24. The Broadway version features about three-fourths of the material that is on the album. This is Sting's first solo release of original material since 2003's "Sacred Love." He will be performing a string of shows at New York's Public Theater from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9.
The dates of the Broadway run and information on the cast are not yet available.
Watch Sting talk about the musical and album in the video below, and let us know what you think in our comments section.
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
