The Last Ship Coming to the Neil Simon in the Fall

Sting's new musical, The Last Ship, will start previews September 30th, with opening October 30. Will star Michael Esper and Rachel Tucker

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/stings-musical-finds-broadway-home-22482059

Updated On: 2/12/14 at 01:44 PM

I find the casting odd in one sense. I was able to attend one of Sting's concerts where he performed the music and he said something about wanting to bring newcomers (particularly from Britain) over. I wonder what happened to that idea. (Equity most likely wouldn't approve it-I guess I'm a little disappointed in that because I was looking forward to some new faces and voices-also, I guess I thought authenticity would be nice. As long as they don't sound like the cast of Matilda.)

Esper is going to be great. He's always great.

Sorry to be that guy but Rachel is Irish.

Sally Ann Triplett is British. She was in the original Broadway cast of Carrie, so this will be her return to the Great White Way after a career in the West End.

I'm surprised they are allowed to bring so many people over. Not only Equity but also US Immigration (ICE). I wouldn't have thought that they would all qualify under the 0-1 visa "extraordinary ability" requirement - at least to ICE. Though they are good...

Re: the accents. The Matilda accents are authentic and, to my British ears, exceptionally good and, yes, clear BUT there was/is a big issue with sound plus the lyrics are very dense, complex and fast. KB, on the other hand, is a big hot mess accent-wise and have the worst accents in a show I've heard in years. And I did see the Menier "Merrily..." HOWEVER, the majority of the audience love the show. So, go figure... They are bringing over Jimmy Nail who has the North Eastern English (Geordie) accent so that will be a big help!

I'm bummed about Louise Pitre as well. I so wanted her back in NYC.

BUT - Rachel Tucker!! She's fantastic. She was discovered in "I'd Do Anything" and I've loved her ever since.

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Matt, I am a huge Sting fan and bought the cd with the bonus 2nd cd. I am not crazy about the music as performed by him aalone. He also seems to be trying to sing it "in character" or something. I just keep thinking maybe it will be better when orchestrated for the show. I have only listened to it through about 3 times.

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Updated On: 2/13/14 at 09:09 PM

^HA!

^
Agreed.

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