'I Could Write A Book': Upcoming Frank Sinatra Musical Finds Its Book Writer

Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail has reported, that the previously announced musical based on the life of iconic crooner, Frank Sinatra, has found its book writer. Danny Strong, a noted television writer whose work has appeared on shows such as Empire and films such as The Hunger Games series, will pen the script for the bio-musical.

According to Baz, the Ambassador Theatre Group, the company producing the show, is aiming for a 2020 West End opening. Producers are currently seeking a director for the project and plan to begin casting once one is selected.

The Ambassador Theatre Group announced in 2016, that they will produce a brand new stage musical based on the life of the legendary Frank Sinatra, in partnership with Stewart Till and Frank Sinatra Enterprises. The show will feature a number of timeless hit songs from Sinatra's incredible catalogue of over 1400 tracks recorded during his illustrious career. Script development for the Frank Sinatra musical is planned to start shortly.

Adam Speers of Ambassador Theatre Group said: "Frank Sinatra was the greatest singer of the 20th century and one of the world's most iconic show business legends. I'm delighted to be working in partnership with Stewart and Frank Sinatra Enterprises to bring his incredible journey to the stage.

"The task of writing the book for this musical will not be easy, as we have such a wealth of material to choose from. Sinatra's life is fascinating - from his humble beginnings in New Jersey as the only child of Italian parents, through his rise to stardom, first as a chart-topping recording artist, selling over 150 million records worldwide and then as an Oscar award-winning Hollywood film star.

"Then there were the Rat Pack days and his partnership with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. And let's not forget his personal life, which included friendships with American Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, as well as relationships with some of the most beautiful and famous women of the day."

Frank Sinatra Enterprises said: "We're delighted to be collaborating with Ambassador Theatre Group to produce the musical dramatization of Mr. Sinatra's life and art. Frank Sinatra demonstrated a remarkable ability to appeal to every generation and continues to do so; he is timeless and his artistry continues to influence many of today's music superstars."

Stewart Till stated: "Frank Sinatra was one of, if not the greatest, entertainers of the twentieth century. It will be an incredible opportunity and challenge."

Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE in 1992, the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG) is the world's number one live-theatre company with 45 venues in Britain, the US and Australia. ATG is also one of the most prolific and internationally recognised award-winning theatre producers in the world with co-productions in the UK, New York, across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. ATG is the market leader in theatre ticketing services through ATG Tickets, LOVETheatre and Group Line. Current and recent ATG co-productions include The Spoils, Doctor Faustus, The End of Longing, The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Oresteia, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, East is East, Richard III, Jersey Boys and The Rocky Horror Show.

Throughout his nine-decade career, Frank Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Associated of America. He extends his record to 57 for the most top 40 albums on the Billboard 200 with this year's new Ultimate Sinatra release. Sinatra has had Top 40 hits on the charts for eight decades, which is as long as the Billboard charts have existed. He received nine GRAMMY Awards over the course of his career, including three for the prestigious Album of the Year, and an Oscar. He also appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures.

Sinatra was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy, The Screen Actors Guild and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Today, he remains a legend and an inspiration around the world for his contributions to culture and the arts.

Frank Sinatra Enterprises is a joint venture between the Sinatra family and Warner Music Group. FSE owns Sinatra's recordings from the Reprise era as well as a treasure trove of films, television specials and unreleased footage, photos and audio recordings, which collectively represent one of the foremost bodies of artistic work of the modern era. FSE also owns and manages Sinatra's name and likeness rights and represents the artist's rights to the Columbia and Capitol catalogues. FSE pursues innovative new product and venture opportunities with respect to the legendary entertainer's name and likeness, as well as Sinatra's audio and visual recordings. More information about Frank Sinatra Enterprises can be found at www.sinatra.com

Stewart Till is Executive Producer on Laura, a film currently being written by James Ellroy and in development at 20th Century Fox, as well as producing a number of high-end, scripted TV dramas for the US and UK markets. He is also currently Executive Consultant for Idris Elba's Green Door Productions. He was previously Chair of Creative Skillset and also Chairman of the UK Film Council. From 2011 to 2015, he was both Chief Executive and Board member of Sonar Entertainment and responsible for greenlighting Tom Hardy's Taboo, South of Hell (with Jason Blum, Jim Manos and Eli Roth) and Shannara (with Al Gough and Miles Millar attached as showrunners).

From the end of 2002 until December 2006, Till was CEO of United International Pictures, the international joint venture of Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios International. With offices in 35 countries, it was the world's leading distributor of feature length motion pictures. Throughout the nineties, Till was President of International at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. During that time he was responsible for such films as The Usual Suspects, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Jude and Trainspotting. In 2000 he was awarded a CBE for services to the British film industry.

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