There was always a problem with Sting’s Broadway musical, “The Last Ship.” Even though the music was par excellence, the songs beyond deliciously hummable, the story was always muddled. I’m thrilled to report that has changed, very much for the better. “The Last Ship” has been rebuilt and is eminently seaworthy. Last night’s premiere in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theater was a triumph on so many levels but the biggest was that we finally feel like the people of Wallsend, Newcastle, UK who build ships are getting their due.

Sting would be glad to live in a world ruled by women. He says there are few trials women aren’t strong enough to endure, and few troubles they can’t summon the will to fix. That’s why when faced with retooling his first Broadway musical, “The Last Ship,” Sting chose to make women the backbone of the new book. “My avatar is now a girl who wants to be a musician and escape,” the singer says while sitting in his dressing room backstage at the Ahmanson Theatre...