Psychic powers have never been part of my DNA. I’m a pragmatic sort of person with a cynical bent, which just might explain why I just don’t get the whole “Whoa! Big surprise!” when Sting announced he was stepping into his Broadway musical, The Last Ship. Am I the only one who made that prediction – right down to the role he would play – when I saw it last month (in my case, October 30th)? Lacking the mass tourist appeal that keeps musicals afloat in the script or music — and with Sting, the only celebrity name associated with the production, being a behind-the-scenes presence, well…  come on. At least Bono and The Edge’s Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark had Reeve Carney and non-stop controversy going for it, and it bled money in the end.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels

What I’m saying is, The Last Ship is a hard sell. Not a bad show, but isn’t the bare bones concept – small town’s major source of employment swirling down the drain only to be resurrected by a prodigal son with father issues – already being played out on Broadway in Kinky Boots, only with upbeat drag glam in place of smoky angst? 

Don’t get me wrong, I love Sting and appreciate the musical’s autobiographical undertones and truly swell performances and visuals, but, while the score does tap into some familiar chords, it is not what fans expect.

So when reports of lightweight ticket sales started piling up, it was just a matter of time before my pragmatic prediction came true. I do think Sting will be very swell in the role of shipyard forman Jackie White — although the actor originally cast in the role Jimmy Nail (ITV’s Auf Wiedersehn, Pet), has done a wonderful job to date. And it should be noted that Nail, a friend of Sting’s, gave his blessing to the transition.

Sting aficionados are being seen as the key saviors for the floundering musical, but their window – at least at current report – is only a month: December 9 through January 10.  The hope is this will boost the show’s profile and profits enough to keep it going through the Tony Awards in early June.