Tharp Talks Sinatra And COME FLY WITH ME In USA TODAY

Twyla Tharp, the famed choreographer who brought the music and lyrics of Billy Joel and Bob Dylan to the Broadway stage with Movin' Out and The Times They Are A-Changin', will next shape the iconic voice of Frank Sinatra into a theatrical piece. COME FLY WITH ME, conceived, directed and choreographed by Tharp and featuring the classic voice of Frank Sinatra. The production will begin performances Sept. 15th at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre, where it will open on Sept. 23rd.  Come Fly With Me runs through Oct. 11th.

Twyla Tharp spoke about the upcoming project to USA TODAY, "Sinatra was a huge dance fan," says Tharp, who knew Frank Sinatra and had previously devoted three shorter projects to his work. "He danced in the movies quite well. He was a feisty guy, very physical, very well-coordinated. He was always respectful and admiring of dancers." To read the full artice click here.

Press notes describe the show as, "celebrating love and life, COME FLY WITH ME is a new musical that follows four couples falling in and out of love. The show shares the full spectrum of emotion we all know as "this thing called love." Set in a crowded night-club the dance driven evening is sexy... athletic... passionate... and filled with optimism."

Tony Award winner Twyla Tharp's direction and choreography blends the incomparable vocals of Frank Sinatra, an international company of 38, including 14 world class daredevil dancers, an on-stage mega-band and an unparalleled hit parade of song. This all-new production features sets by James Youmans (West Side Story), lighting by Donald Holder (The Lion King, Movin' Out), and music supervision by Sam Lutfiyya (101 Dalmatians).

By special arrangement with Frank Sinatra Enterprises and The Sinatra Family, COME FLY WITH ME features original recorded "masters" of Frank Sinatra's voice backed by the live on stage big band. The music combines newly discovered renditions of Sinatra's voice, with signature arrangements (Count Basie, Nelsen Riddle, Quincy Jones et al) as well as brand new charts for this fresh innovative musical).

A national tour is being planned for the summer of 2010, there has also been mention of a Broadway visit for the project in the future as well. For more information visit, www.alliancetheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.