Joel Harper Jackson to play Sinatra in SINATRA THE MUSICAL

Emmie Newitt 3 February, 2026, 10:13

The acclaimed West End star who recently starred in Daniel's Husband at the Marylebone Theatre and Standing at the Sky's Edge at the National Theatre will step into the shoes of the legendary artist and cultural icon this summer.

sinatra the musical cast

The West End premiere of Sinatra The Musical was revealed last month, where it'll play at the Aldwych Theatre after its stage debut at the Birmingham Rep back in 2023, where it played a sold-out run.

Joelwill be joined by Ana Villafañe (On Your Feet!) as the movie goddess Ava Gardner and Phoebe Panaretos, who reprises her role from the Birmingham run as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra.

Joel Harper-Jackson said: ‘Stepping into the shoes of Frank Sinatra is a privilege I don’t take lightly. There is only one Frank, and I’m committed to honouring his legacy with truth, respect and integrity. To collaborate with Kathleen Marshall, Joe DiPietro, Gareth Valentine, Universal Music and, of course, Tina Sinatra is an honour beyond words. Returning to the Aldwych Theatre, where I made my West End debut eleven years ago, feels like coming home. Frank was my grandad’s hero, so this role is deeply personal. Preparation has begun, and I’m so excited to start this journey.’

Written by the 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), Sinatra The Musical follows the life of Frank Sinatra from his meteoric rise in the 1940s as well as his struggles balancing fame with his marriage to Nancy Barbato. The musical features over 20 timeless hits, including "That's Life", "One For My Baby", and "Come Fly With Me".

The musical will feature set design 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, 42^nd Street). They are joined by Jon Morrell (Costume Designer), Bruno Poet (Lighting Designer), Jonathan Deans (Sound Designer), Akhila Krishnan (Video Designer), Campbell Young Associates (Wigs, Hair and Make-up Designer), Larry Blank & John Clayton (Orchestrators), Ian Eisendrath (Arranger), David Chase (Dance Arrangements), David Grindrod, CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting (Casting Director), Jim Carnahan (US Casting Director), Jason Thinger (US Casting (Carnahan)), and Carol Lee Meadows (Associate Choreographer).