Reviewed by Paula Citron
August 19, 2011
Come Fly Away
Dancap Productions
Choreography and direction by Twyla Tharp
Vocals by Frank Sinatra
Featuring Laurie Kanyok, Cody Green, Meredith Miles, John Selya, Marielys Molina, Matthew Stockwell Dibble, Mallauri Esquibel and Ron Todorowski
Four Seasons Centre
Aug. 16 to 28, 2011
Choreographer/director Twyla Tharp’s full-length Broadway dance production, Come Fly Away, the final offering of Dancap’s summer shows at the Four Seasons Centre, is problematic. That’s because it creates a great divide between popular and critical appreciation.
The standing ovation and cheers indicated that the audience loved the show. I thought it was shallow.
The setting is a nightclub where the focus is on the amorous adventures of four couples, danced to a soundtrack of Frank Sinatra songs.
From a layman’s point of view, the dancers are talented and good-looking. They sail easily through Tharp’s showy tricks and dangerous lifts. And how can anyone resist listening to the vintage Sinatra songs?
On the critical side, the show is smoke and mirrors. The superficial flash and dash can’t hide weak, repetitious choreography, and poorly formed characters.
Hollow, maybe, but Come Fly Away does have the razzle-dazzle to keep the masses happy.
Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away continues at the Four Seasons Centre until Aug. 28.