Entertainment Magazine: Nevada: Las Vegas: Entertainment

Sinatra Dance With Me brings back the Old Style Las Vegas

By  Lynne Marie

Without a doubt Sinatra Dance With Me, is the best show in Las Vegas.  The production tells a story entirely through dance and is a fitting counterpoint to Sinatra’s vocals.  Each dancer had their own distinct look and feel, while Frank croons, you’ll swoon at the talent before your eyes.
 
Don’t worry if you are not a Frank Sinatra or Twyla Tharp fan, (conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp) you don’t need to be.  I’ve seen many shows on the Las Vegas Strip but this one stands out and has such a piece of Las Vegas history along with it.

Sinatra Dance With Me follows four couples as they fall in and out of love at a swinging nightclub.  Blending the legendary vocals of Frank Sinatra with a big band and 14 of the world’s finest dancers, Sinatra Dance With Me weaves timeless standards including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way” and That’s Life” in a towering dance fancy of romance and seduction.
 
By special arrangement with Frank Sinatra Enterprises and The Sinatra Family, Sinatra Dance With Me features original recorded masters of Frank Sinatra’s voice backed by a live on-stage 17-piece big band.  The show’s core combines classic vocal performances from the Sinatra catalog and archives along with signature Sinatra arrangements and some brand new orchestrations for this innovative show.
 
Sinatra Dance with Me is the next and most elaborate chapter in one of the most exciting collaborations in contemporary dance.  Twyla Tharp’s creative relationship with the music of Frank Sinatra began in 1976 with the premiere of Once More Frank, a duet created for the American Ballet Theatre and performed by Tharp and Mikhail Baryshnikov. 

The collaboration continued with nine Sinatra Songs, Tharp’s acclaimed piece for 14 dancers, and was followed by Sinatra Suite, featuring Baryshnikov.  Tharp’s production Come Fly Away played in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Theater earlier this year. 

Leading lady, Karine Plantadit, who comes straight from the production of Come Fly Away, is probably one of the best actors I’ve seen on the Las Vegas Strip in quite some time.  She never speaks in the show. She communicates all of her passion, joy, anger and hot sensuality through her dance. 
 
Frank Sinatra had quite the history with Sin City with his first gig in September 1951 at the Desert Inn to his final performance at the 5,000 room MGM Grand in 1994.  Sinatra’s time in Las Vegas helped shape the city into what it is today and the city couldn’t be more grateful and indebted to the singer.  The singer gave Las Vegas an image and in return the city will forever honor Sinatra with tribute shows and concerts.
 
Ticket prices are $69 and $89, plus tax and service charge.  Sinatra Dance With Me plays at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas at 7:30 p.m. To reserve tickets for Sinatra Dance With Me please call 888-320-7110 or 702-770-9966, or visit www.wynnlasvegas.com  The show closes April 23, 2011 so get your tickets quickly.

Photo: Lynn Marie and Karine Plantadit who plays Kate in Sinatra Dance With Me At Wynn Las Vegas.