SINATRA SALUTE SWINGS AT THE HILLBARN IN FOSTER CITY
by Bonnie Weiss, Musical Theatre Lovers United.com
"My Way", a cabaret style tribute to "The Chairman of the Board", originally conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson, will prove a delight - not only to Sinatra fans - but to anyone who loves to hear well sung, wonderfully arranged selections from the Great American songbook. Director John Kirman has imaginatively staged his production in a bar, where the four performers take turns playing the role of bartender, customer and occasional party reveler. The songs are grouped into medley themes such as "Favorites", "Broadway", Cities", "Young Love", as well as "Songs for Losers" and "Songs for Survivors" Such categories cover such Sinatra classics as "Strangers in the Night", "I've Got the World on a String", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "Summer Wind"; as well as lesser-known gems like "L.A. is My Lady", "The Same Old Song and Dance" and "Drinkin' Again".
All four performers are engaging, and at times downright terrific. Jim Kason and Juliet Green are the older couple of the foursome with Zach Trimmer and Anna Traina as a pair of adolescents. Each has his/her moment to shine as a soloist, while together they do some dreamy harmonizing to superb arrangements by musical director/drummer Gred Sudmeier and his band. (Bass, Danny Min; Piano, Ron Sfarzo). As the youngest member of the cast, Zach Trimmer is a standout. Just 17, he sings and dances like a pro, with such confidence and flair, that he could pass for a show biz veteran of 25! College student Anna Traina brings a flirty playfulness to her performance and does some sweet warbling as well. Juliet Green is a cabaret vet and it shows in her relaxed, solid singing, and knowing way with a lyric. Jim Kason's lush baritone is perfect for the dreamy romantic ballads that Sinatra made famous. But he also does a surprising turn as a bluesy belter in the rhytmically complex philosophical riff, "That's Life".
Continuity between songs is provided by a narrative that reveals interesting tidbits about the life of Sinatra. But, of course, it is the great songs, beautifully sung, with lovely arrangements, that makes any salute to the 20th century's most celebrated crooner worthwhile. Well this show has got it all. There's even a special New Year's Eve performance/celebration. What could be more romantic than to spend that evening with the music of Ol' Blue Eyes?