Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Come Fly Away (The SOB Review)

Come Fly Away (The SOB Review) - Marquis Theatre, New York, New York

* (out of ****)

That scream you heard wasn't the one from Karine Plantadit-Bageot near the top of Come Fly Away's tortured second act. No, it was what accompanied the loud thud of this dreadful turkey as if dropped from the sky.

Please don't get me wrong.

I've long admired choreographer Twyla Tharp's exceptional skills beyond the world of modern dance and ballet. Her inspired movements made "Hair" and Movin' Out sing.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't profess to being a fan of Frank Sinatra's incredible oeuvre that spanned the last two-thirds of the 20th Century and then some. With a silky voice and cool swagger, there's a reason why "Ol' Blue Eyes" was popular music's "Chairman of the Board."

But it's hard to imagine Sinatra wanting to sit at the head of this table. It's hardly set with any real book (Tharp receives credits for concept and book) or captivating choregraphy. Instead, it feels as if we've gone to a bar for an after-after-after party where all the decent people have already headed home. With the exception of Marty (Charlie Neshyba-Hodges), a forlorn waiter with eyes for one of his patrons, there's rarely any sizzle and certainly no sparkle.

Least among all the shows opening on Broadway this past year, Come Fly Away masquerades as a musical in the way Burn The Floor did earlier in the season. But unlike Burn The Floor, which at the very least had cohesive, exhilarating choreography, this lackluster snoozefest never really soars, let alone takes wing.

But then again, turkeys simply can't fly very well, can they?

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

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Labels: Broadway, Burn The Floor, Charlie Neshyba-Hodges, Choreography, Come Fly Away, Frank Sinatra, Karine Plantadit-Bageot, Musical, The SOB Review, Twyla Tharp

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, May 27, 2010