Sting Seeks Investors for Broadway Musical
Sting is reportedly attempting to find investors willing to donate millions of dollars for his latest creative endeavor: a Broadway musical.
According to Michael Riedel's 'Broadway Matinee' column in the New York Post, the reason Sting and his longtime spouse, Trudie Styler, have been in attendance for the openings of several new Broadway musicals over the course of the past few weeks is that Sting has been working on his own musical—'The Last Ship,' inspired by his 1991 album, 'The Soul Cages'—and has been making the rounds with his co-producer, Jeffrey Seller, in an effort to drum up the reported $15 million it will take to bring the production to the Great White Way. Riedel reports that a staged reading of the musical -- music and lyrics by Sting, book originally by Brian Yorkey but now by John Logan -- was held last Friday for possible investors.
Directed by Joe Mantello and starring Louise Pitre, Fred Applegate, Aaron Lazar, Jill Paice and Matthew Stocke, 'The Last Ship' found more praise than criticism from Riedel's anonymous "spies," earning comparisons with 'Billy Elliot' and compliments on the score, which was described by one individual as "moody and reflective" with "several haunting themes." Based on Riedel's column, the biggest concern seems to be whether the project will have sufficient mainstream appeal, with one potential investor quoted as saying, "It’s a very good art musical, but I think it belongs at the Public Theater."
Although he has rarely been out of the public eye for any significant length of time, September 2013 will serve as the 10-year anniversary of the last time the former Police frontman released a new album featuring all-original material ('Sacred Love').