When Frank Sinatra passed away in May of 1998, America, it seemed, lost one of its most iconic and treasured song stylists. Sinatra in his day was one of only a handful of artists that transcended mere celebrity star status, thanks to a career that spanned film, television, recordings, and the stage. With a style often imitated (and at times parodied) even today, Sinatra popularized the Great American Songbook, thanks to his signature vocals and easy, confident persona. Many consider his recordings to be the definitive versions of any given song he touched.
Sinatra's rich and extensive catalog explains why
The Laguna Playhouse's production of
MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA is jam-packed with almost 60 songs from his decades-spanning repertoire. Here the musical revue doesn't present his work in the form of the usual (often clichéd) impersonator that looks and sounds like "Ol' Blue Eyes," but rather as an honest-to-goodness, bare-bones tribute of the songs that made him a twentieth century icon. Much like
Ain't Misbehavin' showcased Fats Waller's music in a non-narrative format, MY WAY presents Sinatra's songbook via four excellent singers in front of a dimly-lit jazz nightclub setting...complete with, naturally, a full bar and a full moon. Between categorized song medleys, John Fredo,
Casey Erin Clark,
Jason Watson and Karen M. Jeffreys intersperse quotes, anecdotes and recollections from Sinatra's life. They talk of a bygone era when women were coy and the men swept them off their feet with class, style, confidence,
and a martini.
For two acts, the robust quartet—in individual solos, duets and as the full quartet—sing, swoon and dance through some very familiar and even not-so-familiar songs Sinatra had recorded over the years. It is remarkable and astonishing to realize just how much music Sinatra actually made his own, as one familiar standard after another came in succession. But instead of merely imitating Sinatra's musicality, we are treated to some beautiful and often charming arrangements by Stephen Kummer, Donald Jenzcka and Vince di Mura (the latter contributing his talents as the night's hardworking piano accompanist). These jazzed-up arrangements serve the quartet's vocals well, especially the ballads and the showstoppers.
The musical numbers include many Sinatra staples: "The Way You Look Tonight," "All of Me," "My Funny Valentine," "Summer Wind," Chicago Is (My Kind of Town)," "The Lady is a Tramp," "That Old Black Magic," "Witchcraft," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "All the Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," and, of course, "My Way."
Sinatra, for lack of a better word, was a "player," which in today's terminology translates into a smooth ladies' man with a confident swagger. This is a recurring theme of the night, as the quartet blazes through their song sets with vigor. For a tribute revue of a male icon, Act 1, ironically enough, belongs to the ladies. Clark and Jeffreys outshine the men with their interpretations of Sinatra's more familiar repertoire. Jeffreys' vocals are a treat, pairing her naturally cute charm with a subtle yet seductive style. Clark, an obvious powerhouse vocalist, is delightful but, at times, appears too affected in her interpretations, which in a smaller venue like the
Laguna Playhouse could be a distraction away from her amazing vocal prowess. When all four singers do sing together, the harmonies are simply enchanting, like ear candy.
The men, though, step up (literally and figuratively) in Act 2. Watson is a wonderful singer and hoofer, gliding from one end of the stage to the other with the greatest of ease. Fredo magically transforms into Sinatra in several songs as well, but not as a caricature or weak Vegas mimic. Instead, thanks to some impressive pipes and a showman's gusto, Fredo offers more of a generous homage to the Chairman of the Board. The song cycles in the second act start off decidedly melancholy, referencing Sinatra's public penchant for booze and women. Songs like "Drinkin' Again" and "One For My Baby" is punctuated by the cast "getting permission" to drink "real" champagne on stage. The quartet take turns singing "It Was A Very Good Year," with the right amount of nostalgia and longing.
More famous Sinatra upbeat tunes follow like "Nice N' Easy," "You Make Me Feel So Young," and "Fly Me To The Moon" before segueing into a Medley called "Songs for Survivors" which, the quartet explains, is in essence the life Sinatra led. They then transition into a rousing rendition of "That's Life" that had the audience cheering and clapping along (or at least, attempting to clap along to the drum beats). And, of course, the night's finalé of "My Way" was moving, touching, and appropriately reverent.
Conceived and directed by David Grapes, MY WAY is a peppy, entertaining, though safe revue with a cast of talented singers. What the production lacks in pizazz and style is saved by a songbook of familiar, enjoyable tunes. So, in a way, Sinatra's mantra is true: how do you ensure an entertained audience? "Sing Good Songs!"
Photo: From L to R:
Jason Watson, Karen Jeffreys,
Casey Erin Clark and John Fredo. "My Way: A Musical Tribute to
Frank Sinatra" July 7 - August 23, 2009 at The
Laguna Playhouse. Photo credit: David Grapes.
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MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Frank Sinatra was conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson. The book is by Todd Olson. The original production, as well as this production at the
Laguna Playhouse, is directed by David Grapes.
Performances continue at The
Laguna Playhouse through August 23. Shows run Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2 pm. Tickets to any performance are available by purchasing tickets in person or by calling the box office at (949) 497-2787 ext. 1 (group tickets, dial ext. 229) or by visiting their web site at
www.lagunaplayhouse.com. The
Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, CA.
