Photo Flash: Sting Extends Run in THE LAST SHIP Through January 24!

On the heels of the 16-time Grammy Award winner's sold-out, standing-room-only debut performance on Tuesday night, December 9, Sting's engagement in The Last Ship on Broadway has been extended through January 24, 2015, the musical's producers Jeffrey Seller and Kathryn Schenker announced. Originally scheduled to perform with the cast for five weeks, Sting will now appear for an additional two weeks in the role of Jackie White in The Last Ship at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52 St.).

Sting made his Broadway debut as a composer with The Last Ship, which began previews in New York in September prior to its official opening on October 26. The New York Times said the musical features "a seductive beauty of a score," and Time Out New York called it, "a magnificent and rollicking new musical," adding, "Sting's score is a genuine revelation." The Associated Press heralded The Last Ship as "thrilling with powerful performances, outstanding songs, and real heart." The New York Observer wrote, "This show lights up the theater season like fresh fireworks. If you want greatness that makes your heart soar with emotion and joy, go to The Last Ship and do it fast."

"The energy in the theater during Sting's first performance was electric," Jeffrey Seller and Kathryn Schenker said in a joint statement. "We are delighted that he is able to continue in the role for two additional weeks before heading out on tour."

In The Last Ship, Sting portrays Jackie White, the foreman of a shipyard who rallies his community in Wallsend to build one last ship meant to sail the world. A celebration of passion and hope, The Last Shiptells the story of a community determined to preserve the only way of life it has ever known, and a woman who must choose between the two men she loves.

The Last Ship Original Broadway Cast Recording will be released December 16 on Universal Music Classics.

A 16-time Grammy Award winner, Sting has sold close to 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and recently received the Kennedy Center Honors. He has appeared in more than 15 films - including Plenty, Dune, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Stormy Monday. He made his Broadway debut as an actor in a 1989 revival of The Three Penny Opera as Mack the Knife. He has received a Golden Globe, an Emmy and three Oscar nominations.

The Last Ship is a new musical with music and lyrics by Sting and book by Tony Award-winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey. The musical is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and is choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett. Musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements are by Emmy Award-winner Rob Mathes.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy