Sting's Broadway-Bound LAST SHIP Musical Reading Postponed

BroadwayWorld has learned that Sting's new stage musical, THE LAST SHIP, which has been on track to come to Broadway before making a transfer to the UK's West End, has been postponed. A staged reading, which was to be cast this week, was originally scheduled to take place April 9-21, with direction by Joe Mantello.

The musical tells the story of a group of shipyard workers who are inspired by a local Priest to build their own ship once their own ship yard has been shut down. The workers then decide to set sail on a voyage around the world. The story was inspired by Sting's own childhood memories growing up in the Newcastle area before he rose to fame as the frontman of the band The Police. The script was also inspired by the singer's solo album 'The Soul Cages' which was released in 1990 following the death of his father.

A recent reading featured such Broadway veterans as: Michael Esper, Stephanie J. Block, Colin Donnell and Laura Michelle Kelly, Fred Applegate, Bradley Dean, Jack Falahee, Lyle Mackston, Phoebe Strole and more. Sting penned the music and lyrics for the project, while Brian Yorkey wrote the book and directed.

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.

Yorkey shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2009 Tony Award for Best Original Score with composer Tom Kitt, and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Next to Normal. Prior to bringing Next to Normal to Broadway, Yorkey was affiliated with Village Theatre, where he began as a KidStage student and eventually progressed to a six-year tenure as associate artistic director. Five musicals written by Yorkey - Funny Pages (1993), Making Tracks (2002), The Wedding Banquet (2003), Play it by Heart (2005), and A Perfect Fall (2007) - were staged there.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos