Michael Esper, Aaron Lazar, Rachel Tucker & More Will Lead the Cast of Sting's The Last Ship on Broadway

Broadway favorites Michael Esper and Aaron Lazar, along with U.K. star Rachel Tucker, will lead the Main Stem cast of 16-time Grammy winner Sting's new musical The Last Ship. Directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello, the musical will begin previews September 30 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Opening night is scheduled for October 26. The Last Ship will sail to New York City following a pre-Broadway tryout from June 10 to July 13 at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre.

In addition to Esper, Lazar and Tucker, the principal cast of The Last Ship will include Jimmy Nail, Sally Ann Triplett, Collin Kelly-Sordelet and Fred Applegate. Inspired by Sting's own childhood experiences and his album of the same name, the musical features an all-star creative team including a book by Tony winner John Logan and Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey and choreography by Tony nominee Steven Hoggett.

The Last Ship is set in an English seafaring town that operates around the local shipyard and follows Gideon Fletcher, a man who left home to see the world and returns fourteen years later to find that the future of the shipyard is in danger. The shipyard’s workers decide to take their fate into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that has defined their existence.

Esper has appeared on Broadway in American Idiot, The Lyons and A Man for All Seasons. Lazar's Broadway credits include Mamma Mia!, A Little Night Music, Impressionism, Les Miserables and The Light in the Piazza. Tucker appeared in the West End in Wicked, and was a finalist on the BBC's talent series I'd Do Anything. The Last Ship marks her Broadway debut.

Nail's TV and film credits include Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Spender, Evita and Still Crazy. He makes his Broadway debut in The Last Ship. Triplett appeared on Broadway in Carrie. Her West End credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Follies, Chess, Grease, Cats, Anything Goes and Guys and Dolls. Applegate's Broadway credits include in The Producers, La Cage aux Folles, Young Frankenstein, Sister Act and The Sound of Music. Kelly-Sordelet makes his Broadway debut in The Last Ship.

The Last Ship's creative team includes scenic and costume design by Tony nominee David Zinn, lighting design by Tony winner Christopher Akerlind and sound design by Tony winner Brian Ronan.