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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Easy to drink in Sinatra
revue ‘My Way’<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT size=3>Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT
size=3>News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT size=3>Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d">This review appeared
in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald </I></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">8/20/10<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>David Grapes and
Todd Olson’s tribute to Frank Sinatra, on stage at the Rabbit Run Theatre in
Madison Township, is a highball of a musical revue.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Its top-shelf stuff, served in a tall
glass with a splash of class befitting the man and his
music.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Over 50 tunes from the
vast Sinatra songbook, spanning his early recording days, his films and his
concerts, are performed in medley by two men and two women in formal wear. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The songs, placed in context with a
modicum of biographical banter, are performed in a romantic, blue-hued nightclub
setting complete with bar, three-piece band and intimate couples-only tables.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The show is
inebriating—a thoroughly enjoyable late-summer diversion—but the title, <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My Way</I>, is a misnomer.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is no way that <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My Way</I> can be done Sinatra’s
way.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>One of the things that
defined Sinatra and earned him the moniker “The Voice” was that there was no
other voice like his voice.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Smooth, effortless and
renowned for its impeccable phrasing, Sinatra’s approach to music transitioned
the innocent and idealistic crooning of the 1940s to the jazzy, alcohol-enabled
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>sophistication of the 1950s.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sinatra singlehandedly moved the music
scene from the Big Band dance hall to the Vegas cocktail lounge and night club,
stylistically as well as geographically.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>When asked about the
secret to his success, Sinatra replied “I sing good songs.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My Way</I> is all about the songs.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>These are brilliant
compositions by the world’s most legendary tunesmiths, including Sammy Cahn,
Cole Porter and John H. Mercer.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Many were written specifically for Sinatra and are so good they seem to
have been touched by the music gods—a holy merger of the perfect lyric with the
ideal melody, sung with just the right inflection.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>When
Sinatra sang “It’s quarter to three/There's no one in the place ‘cept you and
me/So set ‘em up Joe/I got a little story I think you oughta know/We’re drinking
my friend/To the end of a brief episode/So make it one for my baby/And one more
for the road,” even the gods wept.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Thankfully, under Brint Learned’s
astute direction, none of the four talented performers in this Rabbit Run
production attempts to “do” Sinatra, for Sinatra is </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>inimitable</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The best that can be hoped for is a
reflection of his style in this showcase.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This is most certainly
achieved.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Brian Altman, Nichole
Groah, <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Lindsey Sandham and James Penca
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>capture
Sinatra’s cool sophistication.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
do so in their approach to his songs and in their subtle physicality on stage,
seductively crisscrossing paths as they segue from one song to the next like
strangers in the night. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Penca
carries it off best in the actual delivery of the songs.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although the youngest of the four 20- to
30-somethings, he seems to feel the music and its message, as did Sinatra, and
the emotion comes across in his beautiful voice and his
demeanor.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>The others perform their songs, as if in possession of valuable heirlooms
meant for display rather than personal confessions in need of disclosure.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fortunately, they are all marvelous
performers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Altman’s sensuous tenor
is an absolute pleasure to listen to, as is Sandham’s ingénuous soprano and
Groah’s torch-song sensibilities. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>The show’s best musical moments come during the four-part harmony
arrangements of Sinatra solo numbers, where each voice blends beautifully with
the others and with the orchestrations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The phenomenal band consists of John Kock on bass, William Wedmedyk on
drums and, on piano, the musical director Edward
Leonard.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>The performance skills of these singers are particularly valuable between
songs, for much of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My Way</I>’s banter is
rather banal, as if written for an airport hotel lounge act or a Knott’s Berry
Farm variety show.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Altman, Groah,
Sandham and Penca handle this with charm, grace and
humor.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>Judging from the dialogue, it is assumed that the audience for <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My Way</I> is limited to those who learned
about life, love and libation while listening to Sinatra on the
radio.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>However, this music is evergreen and, when sung so well by young
performers, this production is suitable for and recommended to romantics of any
age. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Everyone should
imbibe.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My
Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra </I>continues through August 29 at
Rabbit Run Theater, 5648 W. Chapel Rd., in Madison Township. For tickets, $<SPAN
style="COLOR: black">15 to $17, call </SPAN>440-428-7092 or visit </FONT><A
href="" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><FONT
size=3>www.rabbitrunonline.org</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT size=3>.</FONT><A
name=more></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>