The British rocker will replace Jimmy Nail from December 9 to January 10, calling the move 'a bold gamble' to save the show.
- Nov 25, 2014
AceShowbiz - Sting is confirmed to join the cast of his semi-autobiographical Broadway musical "The Last Ship". With his star power, the Grammy-winning singer is expected to give the show a boost following lukewarm ticket sales and mixed reviews since it opened on September 29 after five years in the making.
"We are doing pretty well but not enough to be self-sustaining, so the producers said there is one solution - you have to go in the play," he told Reuters. "It is a bold gamble and it is not devoid of risk. But this is theater, this is drama. You have to do whatever it takes. I never assumed this would be easy."
"The Last Ship" production cost approximately $15 million, but it only garnered about $550,000 a week at the box office. Producer Jeffrey Seller hopes Sting's addition to the stage could "generate the next 50,000, theatergoers to get this fire going." If the show is sold-out, it could add a potential $1.2 million.
However, it's not just about the money for them. "Our goal is to win the Tony," Seller opened up to The Times. "We need a boost, we need to break through, we need some ammo."
Sting is set to appear on the show from December 9 - January 10 as Jackie White, the cynical foreman of a struggling shipbuilding community in Wallsend. The character is currently played by U.K. television star Jimmy Nail who reportedly has given his blessings for Sting to take over the role.
"This whole beautiful enterprise that we have been working on for five years is at stake. It was do or die. When Jimmy knew that, he said. 'Let's go. Let's do it. Let's save this show,' " Seller reveals.
Sting previously appeared on Broadway in a 1989 production of "The Threepenny Opera". He is confident about his upcoming return to the Great White Way as saying, "I've been working on this show for five years and been at every rehearsal, every performance, so it's not like I've flown in from Planet Rock Star to save the day."
