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Frankly, dancers stir soul in Sinatra salute
(by Herb Hammer - May 16, 2012)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
Frankly, dancers stir soul in Sinatra salute
Frank Sinatra is known to have made nearly 1,500 recordings in his 50-plus years in the pop music spotlight. No wonder some Sinatra fans are somewhat disappointed with "Come Fly Away," the Twyla Tharpe dance show saluting the legendary singer.
But take heart. The show playing at the Palace Theater in Playhouse Square may skip over some Sinatra aficionados' favorites. There is enough of Frank in magnificent stereo to please nearly everyone.
This isn't the first time Miss Tharpe has choreographed a show saluting a singer. In 2002, she did the same for Billy Joel entitled "Movin' Out." But this show is a classic. Miss Tharpe has been choreographing to Sinatra for nearly 30 years but nothing compared to this monumental work.
Fourteen dancers perform an array of modern dance and ballet. Instead of one dance following another, couples dance together and then swing out as a group. Sensual swing and aggressive ballet, staged in front of all-brass band, is something pretty amazing.
Using modern magic, most of the original music has been lifted, giving the impressive band hot accompaniment for the voice. You truly can imagine Frank, microphone in hand, entertaining the packed house at the Palace.
Eight of the 14 lead dancers perform astonishing lifts and athletic flips that move with the personality of the song.
Why, you might ask, is the Sinatra favorite, Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," left on the sidelines, while Sinatra's silly novelty number, "My Lean Baby," a throw-away number, is kept in?
"That's Life" nearly brings the audience to its feet, for it is danced so strenuously. Paul Anka's "My Way," a song Sinatra never liked but always sang, is danced with the same impeccable style.
We're never told where all of this is taking place, but imagine the old Sands Hotel in Las Vegas with Sinatra performing with over a dozen dancers, doing his 80-minute late show.
The show is so immensely stirring you're not sure if you're applauding Sinatra, the band, the dancers or Twyla Tharpe, who put it all together.
We do get a couple of breaks from Sinatra when soloists from the band perform. It's a nice touch, faulted only when the band overwhelms the voice, practically drowning it out. You can bet that, as much credit as Sinatra gave to the band during his concert, they would never have overpowered him.
The most electrifying dance number is performed to "That's Life," surely not Sinatra's best but the dancers best. Midway through the show, the song of survival is performed as an encounter between a man and a woman, a couple of losers thrashing out their lives.
Speaking of losers, the show opens with Sinatra at his best singing "Here's to the Losers." This knockout number sets the tone for all the rest.
There's no reason to mention the names of the dancers, for they alternate with each performance. Those who fall in love with the show will be able to see different dancers each time out. Like me, they'll go back at least one more time.
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