BrightSide Theatre's MY WAY: A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA Musical Revue Opens Tonight, 6/15

BrightSide Theatre wraps up their inaugural season with, "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson and book by Todd Olson. Frank Sinatra is the icon of cool – from classic elegance to contemporary "fedora" hipster. "My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" celebrates the pivotal moments of Sinatra's life which would solidify his legendary status. The show runs from tonight, June 15, 2012 8 p.m. (reception following) at the Theatre at MeileySwallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540 until Sunday, July 1, 2012. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Performed by 4 singers, this musical song revue will take you from his early beginnings in New York during the 1940's swing era, to the bright lights of Las Vegas with the Rat Pack in the 1960s, and to his final performances in the 1990s as "Chairman of the Board." Stephen Holden wrote for Rolling Stone: "Frank Sinatra's voice is pop music history." Come hear 56 of his songs that his voice made history.

The cast are Amy Brophy (Woman 1), Ian Rigg (Man 2), Michael Rivera (Man 1), and Kathleen Wrinn (Woman 2). The team are David Grapes and Todd Olson (Conceivers), Todd Olson (Book), Bobby Johnson (Director and Choreographer), Becky Robbins (Stage Manager), Jarrod Bainter (Scenic/Lighting Design), Shana Hall (Costume Design), and Miguel Garcia (Technical Director).

David Grapes II (Co-Creator, Original Director) is currently a Professor of Theatre and the Director of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Here he administers one of the country's largest undergraduate theatre programs (340 majors) and serves as the Producer for UNC's 72 year-old professional summer stock company the Little Theatre of the Rockies.

Prior to joining the faculty at UNC, David served for six years as the Producing Artistic Director of the Tennessee Repertory Theatre a LORT C&D regional theatre located in

Nashville, TN. There he produced 36 productions including three world premieres. During his 29-year career in the theatre, David has produced over 800 major productions that span nearly every genre of dramatic literature. His work as a director (150+ productions) has been seen from coast to coast.

David is the creator/co-author (with Todd Olson) of four musical revues; My Way : A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Christmas My Way – A Sinatra Holiday Bash, Moon River – Johnny Mercer's American Songbook, and I Left My Heart – A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, which have been performed at over 200 theatres worldwide.

Todd Olson (Co-Creator) is currently the Producing Artistic Director for American Stage Company in St. Petersburg, Florida, Prior to that he spent three seasons as the Associate Artistic Director at Tennessee Repertory Theatre in Nashville. While at the Rep, he directed critically-acclaimed productions of Wit, Cyrano de Bergerac, An Ideal Husband, How I Learned to Drive, Dinner with Friends, The Miracle Worker, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Francis of Guernica, winning a dozen annual Nashville "Tennie" Awards for "Best Production" and "Best Director".

He has taught theatre at Harvard, Vanderbilt, and Boston University, among others. Mr. Olson has directed over 100 plays, musicals, and operas, including Hamlet (Boston Theatre Works), The Winter's Tale, The Seagull, Marie and Bruce, Betrayal, and Coriolanus (A.R.T. Institute/Harvard), and the Hungarian premiere of Sam Shepard's Buried Child. His opera credits include work on Vanessa (Des Moines Metro Opera), Tosca (Opera Southwest), Seven Deadly Sins (Huntington Studio), The Elixir of Love (Harvard), and an upcoming Carmen (Opera Southwest)..

Bobby Johnson (Director and Choreographer) Mr. Johnson has served as Assistant Director and Co-choreographer for Rogers and Hart Celebration, The Student Prince, and Brigadoon with Light Opera Works. He co-conceived, directed and choreographed That's Entertainment! for Lake Country Playhouse. Mr. Johnson choreographed Brigadoon and directed the opera Ahmal and the Night Visitors for Music by the Lake in Wisconsin. Bobby has also directed and/or choreographed for several high schools and theatre groups in the Chicago area. As a performer, Mr. Johnson has performed around the country with several theme parks and aboard cruise ships. Most notably he was fortunate enough to perform in My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Amazing..., and A Chorus Line in the new Paramount Theatre's Broadway Series.

Tickets are $22 for all regular performances, $18 for Seniors (62+) and Students w/School ID and $16 for Groups of 10 or more from 630-637-SHOW (7469). Visit www.BrightSideTheatre.com for more information.

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