The hits of Frank Sinatra are brought to life through dance in Twyla Tharp’s latest production, “Come Fly Away,” which she also directs. The two-hour production opened on March 25 at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre, where it is booked for an open-ended run.
Plot takes a backseat to fancy footwork in Tharp’s latest dance musical, which follows the exploits of four couples on the floor of a swanky nightclub. Dialogue is minimally improvised if not nonexistent, as Tharp focuses on storytelling through the movements of her dancers and the live orchestra that brings Old Blue Eyes’ songs to life. The lyrics themselves are piped-in from Sinatra’s recordings, though vocalist Hilary Gardner occasionally adds her voice to the mix.
While critics raved about the talented cast, some questioned the loosely constructed plot’s general appeal. But since previews began March 1, the 1,611-seat Marquis Theatre has seen steadily increasing audiences, beginning at 79 percent capacity during its first week and improving to 84 percent for the week ending March 21, as reported by the Broadway League.
Ticket prices range from $65 to a high of $125 for regular seating, while premium ticketing options carry a $250 face value. Throughout previews, paid admission averaged on the high end of the $50 range.
Beginning March 30, performances are slated for Tuesday at 7 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. An alternate cast of dancers and vocalist will perform during matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m..
“Come Fly Away” is currently playing at the Marquis Theatre, located at 1535 Broadway in New York, NY. The two-hour runtime includes an intermission. More scheduling and ticketing details for the production are available on its official Web site.
Opening Night: “Come Fly Away”
| Publication | Critic | Review |
| Variety | Steve Suskin | “General audiences…might well run out of stamina before the dancers do.” |
| New York Times | Charles Isherwood | “A sleek, energizing mixture of Sinatra’s inimitable cool and Ms. Tharp’s kinetic heat…” |
| USA Today | Elysa Gardner | “It’s hard to imagine a Broadway show delivering a more dazzling combination of talent than ‘Come Fly With Me’…” |
| Hollywood Reporter | Frank Scheck | “The show will best be appreciated by dance aficionados rather than general audiences, who might be put off by the lack of a coherent story line.” |
| Theatre Mania | Brian Scott Lipton | “…consistently diverting, sometimes intoxicating, and beautifully performed…” |
| New York Daily News | Joe Dziemianowicz | “Unless you’re a BIG fan of the Chairman of the Board and ballet-infused modern dance, Tharp’s latest can be as tedious as waiting on a tarmac.” |
