Mainstage Brings Sinatra to Town

Take a stroll down memory lane with My Way, A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, presented by Mainstage Center for the Arts, March 15-17, 2013.  

My Way celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra’s life, which solidified his legendary status. Featuring a cast of four singers with an on-stage jazz combo, this musical revue takes audiences from Sinatra’s early beginnings in New York during the 1940s swing era, to the bright lights of Las Vegas with the Rat Pack in the 1960s, to his final performances in the 1990s as “Chairman of the Board.” It highlights more than 50 of Old Blue Eyes’ hits including Fly Me to the Moon, Summer Wind, Strangers in the Night, New York, New York, and, of course, My Way.

My Way, A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra was conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson and written by Todd Olson.  It premiered in 2000 and has since played to packed houses across the United States.

No one in the cast plays Sinatra as a character. Yet, each actor represents a distinctive aspect of his persona. My Way’s cast includes Eric Cecilio, of Williamstown, Elizabeth Zell, of Conshohocken, Tom Guzzi, of Pitman, and Toni Richards, of Camden. Guzzi and Richards portrayed these roles together in a previous production of My Way, while Cecilio also performed in My Way last summer.

“I love the music of that era,” said Richards. “I grew up listening to Sinatra with my dad. It harkins back to simpler days and a time when people got all dressed up to go out for the night. And, it’s still timely today as Sinatra’s music continues to influence artists like Michael Buble and Seth MacFarlane.”

Guzzi wasn’t as familiar with Sinatra as Richards but has become a big fan.

“After creating a character around Sinatra’s songs and completing a lot of research about his life, I grew to love the man and what he stood for in the music world. I enjoy the small cast with a small set,”said Guzzi. “I also look forward to working with Toni and Chris again. Chris’ vision and direction are like none other I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”

Chris Melohn, director, was nominated for Perry awards for best director and best musical when he directed My Way in 2010 with the Broadway Theatre of Pitman.

My Way, A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, sponsored by Comegno Law Group, P.C., runs March 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m. in the newly renovated, fully accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ.  Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, and $12 students 18 and under. For tickets, visit Mainstage's website, or call 856-302-6485.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, located in Blackwood, NJ, is committed to making the arts experience enjoyable for all its patrons. In an effort to make the shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify the office at 856-302-6485 at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults.  This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.

Stacy Napolitano is Mainstage's public relations professional.