Sinatra musical in development from DiPietro and Marshall

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 3:06pm

Universal Music Group Theatrical in association with Tina Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Enterprises announced SINATRA THE MUSICAL, a new musical based on the life and career of the legendary artist Frank Sinatra.

Currently in development, the script is being written by two-time Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro and will be directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner and three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall. Michele Anthony, Bruce Resnikoff and Scott Landis will serve as producers for Universal Music Group Theatrical, with Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone serving as producers on behalf of Frank Sinatra Enterprises.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SINATRA-THE-MUSICAL-In-Development-Featuring-Book-by-Joe-DiPietro-Direction-by-Kathleen-Marshall-20221130

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 3:11pm

My God, it’s like they want to fail. 

DiPietro’s coming off another critically reviled bio-musical, and we all know Marshall’s poor track record with new musicals. 

This is already shaping up to be “Somethin’ Stupid.”
 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 3:13pm

Scott Landis and Kathleen Marshall are married, and they're close friends/collaborators with Joe D. That pretty much explains it all.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 3:25pm

While Sinatra certainly had more drama in his life compared to, say, Neil Diamond, I wonder how many of his edges will have to be sanded down to get the approval of the estate.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 10:18pm

KevinKlawitter said: "While Sinatra certainly had more drama in his life compared to, say, Neil Diamond, I wonder how many of his edges will have to be sanded down to get the approval of the estate."

HA! Who are we kidding? I’ll put $500 on this being just as sanitized as Chaplin was (a show I loved for the score and Rob McClure alone). It’ll be framed so that we focus on his struggles and obstacles, none of the same that he created for others. 

The music label and his estate are jumping on the bandwagon of jukebox musicals. It’s as simple as that.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/30/22 at 11:17pm

I’m sure Joe DiPietro has done a lot of projects that I’m not aware of, but FWIW, in the 12-or-so years that I’ve known his name I haven’t heard of a single project he’s worked on that was actually good. It’s baffling to me that even his friends would continue to hire him. 

Updated On: 11/30/22 at 11:17 PM

[JanMaxwellsBag]

Posted: 12/1/22 at 10:03am

I’ll admit, I’m a full Diana stan and defender, but this does not excite me.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/20/23 at 8:21am

Ana Fillafañe as Ava Gardner; more join Matt Doyle in cast of Birmingham premiere

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 7/20/23 at 8:50am

"I’m sure Joe DiPietro has done a lot of projects that I’m not aware of, but FWIW, in the 12-or-so years that I’ve known his name I haven’t heard of a single project he’s worked on that was actually good. It’s baffling to me that even his friends would continue to hire him. "

He is living off his one success which is "Memphis". Show won the Tony award for "Best Musical" and did recoup its investment. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 7/20/23 at 9:01am

I wish Broadway producers would finally understand that not every pop star that has been a huge success needs a musical done about their life. The generation that loved Sinatra are no longer alive and I don't see the audience for this show. As others have posted, the seedy part of his life will be ignored so at best this will be another bland jukebox musical. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/20/23 at 9:35am

I wonder how cleaned up it’ll be; Sinatra’s estate profits off the myth of the man, and Sinatra’s myth (like the Four Seasons) trades on his neuroses, his hot temper, his love of rubbing shoulders with the criminal element. 
 

Are we going to see him sexually assault Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland? I’m betting on “no,” but those are also so up-in-the-air that his definitive biographer isn’t entirely sure whether they happened or not. But I’d be shocked if we don’t see at least SOME mob stuff.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 9/23/23 at 3:35pm

Anyone planning on seeing this, please report back. Previews start tonight!
https://playbill.com/article/matt-doyle-plays-legendary-crooner-in-sinatra-the-musical-beginning-september-23


Matt Doyle Plays Legendary Crooner in Sinatra the Musical Beginning September 23

Kathleen Marshall directs the U.K. world premiere, also featuring Ana Villafañe.

https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/sinatramusical/

Updated On: 9/23/23 at 03:35 PM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 9/23/23 at 3:58pm

Matt Doyle posted a couple short clips to his Instagram story yesterday of him singing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “I’ve Got The World On A String” at what looked like their sitzprobe, and he sounded wonderful. He sounds enough like Sinatra to suit the style; but Doyle himself has a much cleaner, brighter tone to his voice. He sounds a lot different from anything he’s performed before, so I would be curious to see this, if only to hear him interpret those songs.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 9/23/23 at 5:58pm

Will Matt stay with the show in UK, or do The Outsiders on Broadway?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/23/23 at 7:53pm

His plan is to stay with Sinatra. Here’s a video of bows and the NY, NY finale. If that’s their finale, I’m sure everyone’s hearts are set on Broadway: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxjOh1_P_k-/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:21am

Anyone seen this in early previews?

I’ll reserve judgement till I see it but I can’t say I'm sold on this from the sitzprobe clips. And I do worry about how sanded down the story will be. He had a fascinating life story and was a severely complicated man. There’s a reason why Scorsese and others have dropped their plans for biopics, because the estates would not allow them to be Frank enough.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:38am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Anyone seen this in early previews?

I’ll reserve judgement till I see it but I can’t say I'm sold on this from the sitzprobe clips. And I do worry about how sanded down the story will be. He had a fascinating life story and was a severely complicated man. There’s a reason why Scorsese and others have dropped their plans for biopics, because the estates would not allow them to be Frank enough."

His daughter is heavily involved in the production so it will be just an hagiography of the man

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 9:44am

Rather like MJ,then. He was extrememly complicated .

Updated On: 9/27/23 at 09:44 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 10:11am

Two reviews by audience members on theatreboard. Raves for Doyle as Sinatra. Not for the show.  They say the show is a bit dull - too  snippets of songs - not a lot of conflict or drama. In other words, a standard bio-musical by people who have an interest in presenting a positive characterization. It doesn't sound like there is any specail staging. Sounds like the joke about Jersey Boys: "We did a song. it was a hit and we wuz happy. Then we did another song and it wasn't a hit and we wuz sad. Then we did another song and it was a hit. [repeat]"

But, that is only the view of two posters.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 10:19am

I love me some Matt Doyle, but the subject matter and biomusicals do nothing for me. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 10:29am

I implore people to stop making cradle to grave bio musicals/biopics. Stick to a single event or period in someone’s life and go deeper.

But this also feels like something that could bypass Broadway and make a killing. They could get 100 touring weeks out of it and then license it. 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/27/23 at 3:11pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "But this also feels like something that could bypass Broadway and make a killing. They could get 100 touring weeks out of it and then license it."

Sinatramania!

Like Beatlemania, basically an homage concert experience. It could alternate with A Beautiful Noise on tour.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 10/14/23 at 5:15pm

Haven't found many reviews. Has anyone seen it?

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 10/16/23 at 7:25pm

"I implore people to stop making cradle to grave bio musicals/biopics. Stick to a single event or period in someone’s life and go deeper."

Very good point. An example would be the West End musical many years ago "Backbeat". It told the story of how the Beatles became the Beatles. A major part of the story was about a guy (Stuart Sutcliffe) who was originally in the band but quit and tragically died before they became incredibly famous. The music in the show is mostly 50's cover songs and not all Beatle music. I thought at one time this show was talked about going on Broadway, don't remember what happened.

Updated On: 10/16/23 at 07:25 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/16/23 at 9:19pm

Stage Door Sally said: "Haven't found many reviews. Has anyone seen it?"

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