The Birmingham Rep should be incredibly proud having hosted the world premiere of Sinatra: The Musical, a celebration of the life and music of the legendary Frank Sinatra. This musical is a tribute to the man who defined the American Songbook and whose influence on popular music is still felt today. Featuring a cast of talented performers, Sinatra: The Musical takes audiences on a journey through the life and music of the iconic singer.

From his early days in Hoboken, New Jersey to his rise to fame in Las Vegas, Sinatra: The Musical explores the highs and lows of Sinatra’s life and career. Not shying away from any of more controversial escapades of Old Blue Eyes. With a score of classic Sinatra songs, this musical was a hit with fans of all ages in the audience on Premier night, although language and themes might require a little parental supervision.

The Magic of Sinatra

Frank Sinatra is one of the most iconic and beloved singers of all time. His music has been enjoyed by generations of fans, and his influence on popular music is undeniable. His unique style and vocal range have made him a timeless figure in the music industry.

He was known for his smooth, crooning style and his ability to interpret lyrics in a way that made them come alive. He was also known for his ability to improvise and create unique arrangements of songs. His exploits off stage however also got just as much media coverage and the show features several of the Hollywood starlets associated with Frank, and their appearances all got positive reactions from the audience.

Sinatra’s career spanned five decades, and he released over 1,000 songs. He won 11 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. It was great to see so many musical numbers feature throughout the show, from the opening bars right up to the final curtain call.

Sinatra’s music has been covered by countless artists, and his influence can be heard in the work of many modern singers. His music has been featured in films, television shows, and commercials, and his songs are still popular today. As his mother told us – half of us would probably not have been conceived if it was not for him! A tough role to fill yet Matt Doyle stepped in to those shoes and with a little bit of help from Gene Kelly and bought the magic of Hollywood to Brum.

He had a lightness to his step and a sparkle to his eyes which bought the charm of Sinatra back to life for the evening…. he has an uncanny resemblance which makes him perfect for the role but the hand gestures throughout the musical numbers show a real attention to detail….. And what a voice!

The magic of Sinatra lies in his ability to capture the emotion of a song and make it his own. His unique style and vocal range have made him a timeless figure in the music industry, and his influence on popular music is undeniable. Hearing the songs intertwined with his life story bought new meaning to the lyrics.

The Legacy of Sinatra: Reflections on the Birmingham Rep’s Premiere of His Musical

The show was a spectacular success, with audiences captivated by the music, the dancing, and the story of Sinatra’s life. As I walked in to the building on a red carpet and looked around at fellow guests dressed up to the nines it felt really special to be a part of this evening. I hope that this continues as the show runs. There’s nothing quite like dressing up and feeling a million dollars.

The musical was a celebration of Sinatra’s life and career, from his early days as a struggling singer in Hoboken, New Jersey, to his rise to fame as one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. The show featured a talented cast of singers and dancers, as well as a live band that performed some of Sinatra’s most beloved songs. Performances from Phoebe Panaretos as Nancy Sinatra and Ana Villafane as Ava Gardner were powerful in their own right.

My favourite number however was bought to life by Frank and Billie Holiday – a scene in a bar in the early hours of the morning showed a different side to the Frank we had been following throughout the show. As a ‘modern’ woman I was actually starting to really dislike his character with the adultery and his relationship with Ava Gardiner being such a prominent storyline.

Bringing it back to musical talent and away from the off stage exploits when Franks career was at an all time low was simply stunning in its simplicity and Ryesha Higgs as Billie stole the show.  The show was a reminder of the power of music to bring people together, and it was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sinatra. He bounced back then, just as he did in real life.

I can see this musical being around for a long time and perhaps going full circle and being made in to a movie just like so many other musical biopics. I’m so glad to have been there for this special evening – It was great to be a part of it.

Last Updated on 10 months by Lavania Oluban