Jenna Russell cast in SINATRA THE MUSICAL

About Sinatra the Musical

This new musical chronicles the life and career of the legendary American singer and actor, Frank Sinatra: from stepping onto the stage of New York's Paramount Theatre, to his love affair with Ava Gardner and his battle against negative press, to one of the greatest comebacks in the music industry. The musical will include over 20 of Sinatra's hits including "That's Life", "One For My Baby", "The Best Is Yet To Come", and "Come Fly With Me".

Jenna Russell

Jenna Russell is to play Dolly, Frank Sinatra’s mother. Russell has just been nominated for her fourth Olivier for the role of Maureen Fry in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Her theatre credits also include Sunday in the Park with George in London and on Broadway, for which she won an Olivier Award and was nominated for a Tony Award; Hello Dolly! (London Palladium); and Flowers for Mrs Harris (Riverside Studios). Her television work includes Midsomer Murders, Gentleman Jack, EastEnders and Call The Midwife.

The cast

Russell joins the already announced Joel Harper-Jackson as Frank Sinatra, Ana Villafañe as the actress Ava Gardner and Phoebe Panaretos as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra. 

The rest of the cast includes Oliver Adam-Reynolds (Nat King Cole/Ensemble) Becky Anderson (Lana Turner/Ensemble), Carl Au (Lee Mortimer/Ensemble), Sam Brown (Tommy Dorsey/Ensemble), Helen Colby (Hedda Hopper/Ensemble), Emma Crossley (Swing), Adam Davidson (Gene Kelly/Ensemble), Alexander Day (Swing and Dance Captain), Christopher GoPaul (Swing), Stuart Hickey (Swing), Jenna Innes (Judy Garland/Ensemble), Marty Maguire (Marty Sinatra), Mia Musakembeva (Ensemble), Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday/Ensemble), Samuel Nicholas (Ensemble), Nardia Ruth (Swing), Christina Shand (Swing and Assistant Dance Captain), John Stacey (Mitch Miller/Harry Cohn/Ensemble), Allana Taylor (Marlene Dietrich/Ensemble) and Lee Zarrett (George Evans). Sylvie Regan, Mia Savident and Felicity Walton share the role of Little Nancy.

The creative team

The musical is written by two-time Tony award-winning writer Joe DiPietro (Memphis the Musical, What’s New Pussycat?), directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall (Top Hat, Anything Goes) and the set is designed by Olivier Award-winning Peter McKintosh (Top Hat, When We Are Married).  The orchestra of seventeen musicians will be supervised by Gareth Valentine (My Fair Lady, 42nd Street).  They are joined by Jon Morrell (Costume Designer), Bruno Poet (Lighting Designer), Jonathan Deans (Sound Designer), and Akhila Krishnan (Video Designer).

Sinatra the Musical will begin performances at Aldwych Theatre, London on Wednesday 3 June 2026. Press Night will be Wednesday 24 June 2026.

Sinatra the Musical Tickets