Come Fly Away
The musical, Come Fly Away, was conceived, directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp and recently made its Los Angeles premiere appearance at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. It features original vocals by Frank Sinatra behind a phenomenal live on- stage big band and fourteen electrifying dancers. The premise follows four couples dancing their way into love and falling out of love and back in love again.
It is amazing to be able to listen to the voice of Frank Sinatra accompanied by a live band, with arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones and others, that one expects to see the man walk out on the stage! These are the songs recorded during Sinatra's finest years, such as Luck Be a Lady, Fly Me To the Moon, My Way, New York, New York, and One For My Baby, to name just a very few.
Each of the dancers is outstanding, full of energy and very agile. Members of the band, led by Conductor/Pianist Rob Cookman, bring back the sounds of the "good old days." The lighting design by Donald Holder adds a great deal to the mood of the production, and when Sinatra does arrive in the background of the stage during the finale as a large lighted portrait, the show presents a worthy tribute to the man himself.
Twyla Tharp's choreography is superb and brings out the special talent of all of the dancers. My one criticism and hope would be that it would consist of more variety to further emphasize the superb skills of these fine dancers.
Come Fly With Me, at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, closed November 6, after a two-week run. It will be returning to Southern California, opening at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, in Costa Mesa, January 31, 2012, through February 5, 2012. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Be sure to watch for the next opening at The Pantages Theatre when Broadway LA will present the delightful musical, Wicked, opening November 30, and continuing through January 22, 2012. For information, go online at www.broadwayla.org.