Sting has penned a surprisingly remarkable score fit for Broadway. It's lush. It provides a rich backdrop to the entire production and lifts the actors to amazing heights on the stage. I'm the first to admit, I was impressed (I mean my expectations were set low after that Bono-Spider debacle).
The spunky and powerful Rachel Tucker (Meg Dawson) and smooth, throaty, and devilishly handsome Michael Esper (Gideon Fletcher) with a voice like Sting's aptly helm the cast with support from such greats as Fred Applegate (Father O'Brien) and the always amazing Aaron Lazar (Arthur Millburn).
Now, to be honest, the story is not the happiest. It's not exactly the most riveting or interesting. It's a love story as many are. It's set in an English shipbuilding town in North East England and has, as you would expect, the requisite love, rejection, acceptance, and key character death, general conflict, and will certainly entertain some.
I suspect it will not have mass-appeal as is required by a Broadway show these days, but Sting and his music will likely sell enough tickets to warrant the large investment to mount a Broadway show these days before the story's downside will overtake the music's upside.
I love checking out shows out of town and this one was no exception. If you love Sting and want to see him showcase his musical talents in an entirely new way - get your ticket to the New York production today!