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Come Fly With Me
A Musical Celebration
Created by Michael Whelan & Marc Robin
In association with the THRB Group
At the Mercury Theatre
3745 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
Call 773-325-1700, tickets $38.50 - $42.50
Free dinner is included in the ticket price
for the first 50 patrons at the Bayou Restaurant
across the street from the theatre (subject to availability).
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5:30 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time 2 hours with intermission
Through February 26, 2006
Come Fly With Me soars with the marvelous big band sound
Come Fly With Me, a concert revue, features fantastic swing arrangements and orchestrations by Jason Goldman allowing subtle use of horns, sax and woodwinds reminiscent of the finest big bands of the 40’s and 50’s. Come Fly With Me features 42 classic pop tunes from the 30’s swing era to the 50’s pop hits. Lead by Michael Whelan, who toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as featured singer, Come Fly With Me is a high energy, toe-tapping tribute to the romantic and beloved tunes of the mid 20 th Century.
Michael Whelan smoothly delivers classic pop tunes. “Beyond The Sea” and “Mack the Knife” reminded me of Bobby Darin. Whelan played homage to Frank Sinatra with nice renditions of “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “The Lady Is A Tramp” and “Come Fly With Me.” He sounded best when he did torch songs like “My Funny Valentine,” “World On A String” and “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Director Marc Robin added two fabulous dancers, Ariane Dolan and Katheryn Patton to underscore the mood and rhythms of the show. These two were sensual especially with “Fever” and the wild “Sing Sing.” They even did a nice tap routine with “Doe-a-Deer.” These dancers added a fine touch of sophistication.
Roberta Duchak complimented Whelan with her charismatic presence and her golden voice at home with jazz scant, swing tunes and emotional ballads. Duchak add glamour to the show.
Come Fly With Me is a fun, nostalgic trip to the era when musicians really did play their instruments and singers actually belted and delivered tunes with polish and verve. The show is a terrific vehicle to introduce teens (and 20something’s) to the fabulous music from Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.
Michael Whelan and Roberta Duchak have enough pose and vocal acumen to effectively deliver a tuneful evening of entertainment. I enjoyed the ride down memory lane.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better entertainment value than Come Fly With Me; for a $38.50 to $42.50 ticket especially if you are one of the first fifty who’ll get a free dinner with your ticket purchase. Great songs sung well with a fabulous band equals a fun at the theatre.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
November 5, 2005
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