FIRST LOOK - Sting & Joe Mantello Chat Broadway's THE LAST SHIP on TimesTalk

Sting, 16-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and Joe Mantello, two-time Tony Award-winning director joined TimesTalks with New York Times chief pop music critic, Jon Pareles last night. The duo discussed the production and music in the new Broadway musical "The Last Ship."

Watch highlights of the appearance here!

THE LAST SHIP - the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting and book by Tony Award winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey, began previews on October 2 and will open on October 26. The Last Ship is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantelloand choreographed by Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Steven Hoggett. Musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements are by Emmy Award-winning and multi Grammy-nominated producer Rob Mathes.

The principal cast of The Last Ship includes Michael Esper, Rachel Tucker, Jimmy Nail, Fred Applegate, Aaron Lazar, Sally Ann Triplett and Collin Kelly-Sordelet.

THE LAST SHIP has scenic and costume design by Tony nominee David Zinn; lighting design byChristopher Akerlind; and sound design by Brian Ronan.

THE LAST SHIP - which marks Sting's debut as a Broadway composer - is set in the English seaside 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 Fletcherdreams of a different future. He sets out to travel the world, leaving his life and his love behind. When Gideon returns home many years later, he finds the shipyard's future in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart engaged to someone else. This love triangle ignites just as the men and women of Wallsend take their future into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that defines their existence. And in the end Gideon comes to understand that he had indeed left behind more than he could have ever imagined.

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Photo credit: Matthew Arnold Photography