Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 28th October 2023.
Reviewed by Emma Millward
5*****
Surprising as it may seem, there has never been a stage show about the life and career of Frank Sinatra. Two-Time Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (writer of Birmingham Rep’s hit show What’s New Pussycat) set out to change this, along with Sinatra’s youngest daughter Tina and Director/Choreographer Kathleen Marshall, Their writing team’s aim was to bring the story of Ol’ Blue Eyes to the stage and provide a never-before-seen look at his life, loves and the early days of his career. The show is currently getting its world premiere in the second city and Birmingham Rep really fits the bill as a classy setting for such a show.
The show begins with Frank’s (Matt Doyle) famous performance at the Paramount Theatre, New York on New Years Eve 1942. The show charts the early days of Frank’s relationship with Nancy (Phoebe Panaretos), the rise and fall of his fame, followed by his meteoric revival with Capitol Records. Following the success of the 1942 show, Frank heads off to Hollywood to make movies, and embarks on a series of illicit encounters with the biggest starlets of the era, Judy Garland (Frances Dee), Lana Turner (Lottie Power) and a deliciously camp Marlene Dietrich (Maddy Ambus). All played out in a clever musical number set in Frank’s ever occupied bed!
Frank meets his match with Ava Gardner (Ana Villafañe) and they begin an affair just as his fame is taking a downward spiral, due in no small part to his alleged Mafia connections and poorly received reviews of his movies. Frank’s friendship with his manager, George Evans (Carl Patrick),offers both hilarious and poignant moments. Frank’s parents, Dolly (Dawn Buckland) and Marty (Vincent Riotta) give a wonderfully comic turn, constantly reminding Frank of the Sinatra Family’s Italian immigrant roots.
Matt Doyle’s portrayal of Frank Sinatra is outstanding. Your eyes are naturally drawn to him throughout and his crooning vocals are spot on. He captures the Sinatra charm completely. For me, he’s one of the best leading men I’ve seen in recent years on stage. As an ensemble, the whole cast work perfectly together and are clearly having the time of their lives and it shows in their performances. The set design by Peter McKintosh is almost a character in itself, swiftly changing scene from a big music hall, to a restaurant or a bedroom. The sets are all beautifully designed and often lavish affairs. The bar where Frank sings a heartfelt duet of ‘One For My Baby’ with Billie Holiday (a pitch perfect performance by Ryesha Higgs) is a particularly beautiful set that really adds to the mood of the scene.
Sinatra and music go together like ‘a horse and carriage’ and with over 26 songs featured (in full or snippets) throughout the show, it definitely delivers. The 16 piece orchestra providing the music were often on stage and in this performance were skilfully conducted by Gareth Valentine. Judging by the continual murmurs of recognition and approval from the audience, it was obvious the perfect songs were selected from Frank’s extensive back catalogue.
I can see this show going from strength to strength, and in the words of Sinatra himself, “The Best Is Yet To Come”.