EDGE Providence

The music of "Ol’ Blue Eyes", Frank Sinatra, will be featured in a new show opening May 29 at Theatre By the Sea in Matunuck. My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra kicks off the opening of Theatre By the Sea’s 76th season.

The show, conceived and directed by David Grapes, features nearly 60 Sinatra classics including "My Funny Valentine," "High Hopes," "Fly Me to the Moon," "I Only Have Eyes for You," and, of course, "My Way."

Grapes is a veteran director, having helmed 180 productions, ranging from musicals to Shakespeare and contemporary plays. "My Way" has been performed 15 times in various venues since 2000.

"I am in awe of his musicality and artistry and the way he had with a song and audience," Grapes told EDGE. "(Sinatra) really was the first teen idol and the first singer to have so much power in so many mediums. He was also one of the first singers to move from big band to recording artist to movie star. There are only a few stars today that carry the kind of star power that Frank had at his peak."

Grapes came up with the concept for the show after Sinatra’s death in 1998. With one of his former students as a collaborator, Grapes sought to use Sinatra’s music in a show which would pay tribute to his long career.

"We chose songs based on themes we wanted to explore," Grapes explained. "We had many other songs in that first edition that would later be cut. We tried to include the "signature" songs but also wanted to include songs that not everyone would immediately recognize but had great versions that had been recorded by Sinatra (I Guess I’ll Hand My Tears Out to Dry). We really wanted to use "Luck Be A Lady Tonight" but never have been able to obtain the rights to use that song in My Way."

The production is being choreographed by John Fredo and the music directed by John C. Brown. Fredo also appears in the show along with Casey Erin Clark, Karen Jeffreys and Jason Watson.

Grapes notes that Fredo "has the essence of Sinatra without ever becoming a cheap impersonation. (He is) a fantastic dancer and singer who really understands how to make this piece work."

Grapes also praised Clark, Jeffreys, and Watson for their vocal talent and performance skills.

"This truly is an "A " cast and I am having a blast working with them," Grapes noted.

Grapes hopes audiences will leave the show with a greater sense of appreciation for Frank Sinatra and his artistry.

"I want them to leave the theatre with a renewed respect and admiration for Sinatra and the music he sang. The greatest music of the twentieth century. I want them to have held hands, sang along at times, remembered past loves, smiled, laughed and had an emotional ride that they will carry with them for a long time," Grapes added.


My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra will be presented from May 27-June 14, with preview performances on May 27 and 28 and opening night scheduled for May 29. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI. Tickets are on sale at the box office Mon-Sat from 10 am - 4 pm, online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587). The box office will also be open one hour prior to every performance.