My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra
Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck begins its 76th season on a sentimental note with My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, a revue honoring the illustrious career of the singing master affectionately known as Ol’ Blue Eyes.
Director David Grapes (who conceived My Way with Todd Olson) has assembled a collection of more than 50 Sinatra classics ranging from the immediately recognizable standards (New York, New York, Fly Me To The Moon) to noticeably obscure surprises (Witchcraft, Something Stupid).
This musical celebration of the quintessential crooner is performed in two acts, each comprised of a series of medleys with specific themes, including Broadway (featuring "My Funny Valentine", "I Get a Kick Out of You"), Cities ("My Kind of Town", "L.A. is My Lady"), "Love & Marriage (That Old Black Magic)", and Favorites ("All of Me", "The Way You Look Tonight").
Four extremely talented performers--two fine gentlemen (John Fredo, Jason Watson) and two classy dames (Casey Erin Clark, Karen Jeffreys)--help the audience travel back in time to the days of Fred-and-Ginger, Duke Ellington and swanky Manhattan night clubs of yesteryear.
Each of them pays tribute to Sinatra in his or her own way--Clark as the sensible sophisticate, Jeffreys as the impressionable ingénue, Watson as an awestruck admirer and Fredo as the resident relic. The result makes for a delightful, charming and remarkably pleasant evening of song, dance, music and romance.
The accompanying three-piece jazz trio (John C. Brown/Keyboard, Mike Sartini/Drums, Sean Farias/Bass) is impressive, authentic and worthy of a show unto itself. Mark Halpin’s stage design beautifully recreates a vintage night club scene, reminiscent of the Rainbow Room, complete with leather seating, dim lighting and shaken-not-stirred martinis.
Whether you’re due for a stroll down memory lane or just wish to revisit the early influences of today’s artists, My Way is an irresistible treat for audiences of all ages.
"My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra" runs through June 14 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck. Visit www.theatrebythesea.com for tickets and showtimes.
