Sting's THE LAST SHIP Opens in Chicago; Sets Course for Broadway

The Pre-Broadway World Premiere of THE LAST SHIP, the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy Award winner Sting, and book by Tony winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize-winnerBrian Yorkey, opens tonight, June 25, at the Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe) and plays through July 13, 2014. THE LAST SHIP is directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello and has choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Steven Hoggett. THE LAST SHIP will begin previews on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52 St.) on September 29 prior to opening night on October 26, 2014.

Inspired by Sting's own childhood experiences, THE LAST SHIP marks the renowned musician's Broadway debut as a composer. Principal roles in the cast of THE LAST SHIP will be played byMichael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy Nail, Fred Applegate, Aaron Lazar, Sally Ann Triplett andCollin Kelly-Sordelet.

THE LAST SHIP ensemble includes: Ethan Applegate, Craig Bennett, Dawn Cantwell, Jeremy Davis,Bradley Dean, Alyssa DiPalma, Colby Foytik, David Michael Garry, Timothy Gulan, Shawna M. Hamic, Rich Hebert, Leah Hocking, Todd A. Horman, Sarah Hunt, Jamie Jackson, Sean Jenness, C.David Johnson, Drew McVety, Johnny Newcomb, Gregory North, Matthew Stocke, Cullen Titmas andJeremy Woodard. Casting by Telsey + Company/Craig Burns, CSA.

THE LAST SHIP is set in the English seafaring town of Wallsend, a close-knit community where life has always revolved around the local shipyard and the hardworking men 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 14 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 future into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that defines their existence, Gideon realizes that he left behind more than he could have ever imagined.

THE LAST SHIP is a portrait of a community so bound together by passion, faith and tradition, they'll stop at nothing to preserve the only life they've ever known.

(Rachel Tucker and Jimmy Nail are appearing with the support of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.)

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus