Today in Toronto: Come Fly Away, Def Leppard with Heart and more
Come Fly Away American dance legend Twyla Tharp has choreographed entire shows to the music of the Beach Boys, Billy Joel and Bob Dylan. For this one, the big band–era hits of Frank Sinatra are the inspiration for her moves, which track the passions and heartbreaks of several couples in a nightclub. Find out more »
Def Leppard with Heart Since the success of their ’80s classic “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” these rockers have rid themselves of the mullets (well, mostly) and picked up a new anthem (“Undefeated”), courtesy of their Mirrorball album. Find out more »
Exit the King Eugène Ionesco demolished the fourth wall in this treatise on the inevitability of death. Facing the loss of his faculties and his kingdom, Ionesco’s pet character, Bérenger (here a centuries-old monarch), learns that he will die at the end of the play. Find out more »
The Broadway musical Come Fly Away, set to the music of Frank Sinatra a Dancap Productions show, directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp, opened in Toronto last night and will run until August 28th, 2011 at the majestic Four Seasons Centre for The Performing Arts.
Tharp’s choreography is centered on four couples that fall in and out of love during one song-and-dance filled evening at a nightclub. Come Fly Away blends the vocals of Frank Sinatra with a live 19-piece big band and 14 of the world’s finest dancers. All the dancers were excellent but special mention must go to John Selya who was phenomenal as Sid.
Other reviewers have stated:
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times calls COME FLY AWAY, “SPECTACULAR and DAZZLING! This is a MAJOR new work, with a stage full of BRILLIANT performers. Twyla Tharp’s ELECTRIFYING celebration of the music of Frank Sinatra will sweep you up in a complete spell.”
Robert Johnson of The Star-Ledger calls the show “ONE OF THE MOST ELECTRIC PRODUCTIONS EVER TO LIGHT UP A BROADWAY MARQUEE”
Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press calls the show, “ASTONISHING — A love letter to romance, not to mention the man and his music, with eight MARVELOUS leads and an orchestra of STERLING musicians.”
Richard Zoglin of Time Magazine states simply, “COME FLY AWAY delivers the PUREST JOLT OF PLEASURE to be found on a Broadway stage.”
The New York Times stated “Come Fly Away” sweeps you up in a spell so complete that only those resistant to the seductions of dance or the swing of Sinatra will be left on the other side of the velvet rope. I fully agree with these reviewers Come Fly Away takes you back to a time so very different than today yet so similar.
It is a wonderful show, treat yourself and escape within the songs of Sinatra. There were many highlights however, That’s Life, My Way and New York New York were all superb. Thank you Dancap for bringing this great show to Toronto.