Twyla Tharp to Debut Sinatra Dance Show, Come Fly With Me, in Atlanta

Director/choreographer Twyla Tharp will debut her third theatrical dance musical, Come Fly With Me, featuring vocals by Frank Sinatra, at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater. The show will run from September 15-October 11, presented by special arrangement with the Sinatra family and the legendary singer’s estate. Opening night is September 23. The New York Times reports that the show will set out on a national tour in Summer 2010.

According to the Alliance Web site, Come Fly With Me will follow four couples falling in and out of love. Set in a crowded night club, the dance-driven evening is sexy, athletic, passionate and filled with optimism. The show will feature original recorded “masters” of Sinatra’s voice backed by an onstage big band. The music combines newly discovered renditions of Sinatra’s voice, with signature arrangements (Count Basie, Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones) and new charts.

Although the Alliance site doesn’t reveal a cast, it includes a December 2008 workshop photo of dancer John Selya, who received a Tony nomination for Tharp’s 2002 musical Movin’ Out, set to the music of Billy Joel. After finding success on Broadway (including nine Tony nominations) for Movin’ Out, Tharp stumbled with her next outing, The Times They Are A-Changin’, set to the musical of Bob Dylan, which ran for only 28 performances in 2006. Tharp has already worked with the music of Old Blue Eyes: Her “Sinatra Songs” is one of the most popular pieces in her modern dance repertory.

Come Fly With Me 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).