Sting’s ‘Last Ship’ had a short sail on Broadway. Why it’s back, buoyed by women...

January 23, 2020

Sting would be glad to live in a world ruled by women. He says there are few trials women aren’t strong enough to endure, and few troubles they can’t summon the will to fix.

 

That’s why when faced with retooling his first Broadway musical, “The Last Ship,” Sting chose to make women the backbone of the new book.

 

“My avatar is now a girl who wants to be a musician and escape,” the singer says while sitting in his dressing room backstage at the Ahmanson Theatre, where this musical - inspired by Sting’s childhood, spent in the shadow of a northeastern England shipyard - opens Wednesday and begins the show’s first national tour.

 

Only a handful of stars go by one name, and Sting is in full possession of the confidence to make the move. Self-assured, relaxed, his head cocked slightly to the side, his voice gently hoarse from a winter cold, the former Police frontman and later solo star displays no anxiety over whether audiences will like his reimagined musical.

 

“The Last Ship” faced unexpected challenges when it opened to mixed reviews on Broadway in 2014. The story, about the struggles of a blue-collar town during the painful decline of the shipbuilding industry, did not originally feature Sting in the cast. His score was roundly praised (he received a Tony nomination for it), but the book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey was criticized for being unfocused and having an overly busy plot.

 

Read the full interview in the Los Angeles Times here.

Comments
0

RECENT STORIES

Jan 22, 2020

The Cherrytree Music Company and Live Nation have confirmed that Sting: My Songs will return to Europe this summer with appearances scheduled in concert venues and at festivals including a very special performance on 1 August, 2020 at Auditorio de Castrelos in Vigo, Spain. Tickets are not expected to go on sale for this show for several months yet and a further announcement will be made nearer the on-sale date once details have been finalised.

Jan 20, 2020

The Cherrytree Music Company and Live Nation have confirmed that Sting: My Songs will return to Europe this summer with appearances scheduled in concert venues and at festivals including a very special performance on 23 July, 2020 at Parco della Cittadella during the “Parma Città della Musica” Festival that celebrates the city as Italy’s Capital of Culture. Members of Sting’s Fan Club will have the opportunity to access exclusive pre-sale tickets prior to the general public starting 10am CET on Tuesday, 21 January.