Dancers bring Sinatra’s classics to life in musical ‘Come Fly Away’

June 4, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

In some ways, Ron Todorowski is the chairman of the board when it comes to the touring production of “Come Fly Away.”

Sure the Broadway musical, which comes to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center Tuesday through Sunday, was conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and features a plot revolving around Frank Sinatra classics, but it’s dancer Todorowski who has double-duty as resident director to ensure the production maintains its high quality.

“I was flattered to be given the position,” said Todorowski, calling from a tour stop in Charlotte, N.C. “I watch the show, take notes and make sure every ounce of the look of the show is correct.”

It’s no coincidence Todorowski was given the responsibility considering his Broadway resume includes “Wicked,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Footloose,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and “Movin’ Out.” The latter two shows were Tharp productions. This also explains why he jumped at working with the famed choreographer for “Come Fly Away,” which premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta in September 2009 and opened on Broadway in March 2010. From there, the show went on to have a successful run in Las Vegas before going on the road.

The musical follows four couples as they fall in and out of love one evening at a crowded nightclub. Blending the legendary vocals of Sinatra with a live on-stage big band and a cast of 14 world-class dancers, “Come Fly Away” weaves a hit parade of classics including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way” and “That’s Life” into a musical fantasy of romance and seduction.

“The result is a very unique theatrical experience,” Todorowski said. “It’s a musical, but it’s all told through dance. The way Twyla has structured Sinatra’s songs, how they relate to these four different types of relationships represented in the show, it just comes to life on stage. It’s really awesome. There’s no necessary set time period in our show but it definitely has a classic feel to it with a modern edge. The language she uses with her choreography definitely purrs.”

Easily one of the most accomplished and versatile artists working today, Tharp began her creative relationship with Sinatra’s music in 1976 with the premiere of “Once More Frank,” which was a duet created for the American Ballet Theatre and performed by her and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

It turns out Sinatra was so taken by the production that he requested the “Sinatra Suite” be performed when he received his Kennedy Center Honors Award. He said it was one of the purest expressions of his body of work. As for Tharp, she has choreographed more than 135 dances, five Hollywood movies and directed and choreographed four Broadway shows, including “Come Fly Away.”

“The song that stands out to me in the show is ‘My Way,’” Todorowski said. “Twlya just paid us a visit in Washington, D.C., last weekend and she said the heart and soul of the show is basically about forgiveness. I thought that was so powerful. ‘My Way’ is the end of the show, and it’s just staged so beautifully. It’s the full company, and there’s something about it in how the whole show just ties up in that one song.”

He added, “There’s so much exploration within these relationships, everyone can relate to these actors in some way, shape or form. I think it’s very personal.”