COME FLY AWAY SOARS!

It takes real dedication on the part of avid theater goers to buy tickets for any show on St. Patrick’s Day. We are that avid and were uber excited to see COME FLY AWAY but we totally forgot what Times Square and the theatre district would be like post-parade and pre-all night St. Patrick’s Day drinking.

Dinner didn’t go exactly as planned since we were unable to get a table at our theatre district favorite Bond 45. It was nearly impossible to just navigate the sidewalks although watching a street fight break out was pretty cool.

So we’ll not talk about where we did eat and just move on to the Marquis Theater which is always a pleasure since it’s designers took into account that average heights and widths are a bit more ample than they were when some of Broadway’s older theaters were built. It’s really a gorgeous space and the seats are comfortable with almost enough legroom and when you are 3 rows from the edge of the stage, it’s a delight. The very friendly usher was also a pleasant way to start the experience.

We really had no idea what to expect - other than Frank Sinatra’s songs and Twyla Tharp’s choreography. Frank made so many songs famous that we were fascinated by how the ones used were chosen. The order was so right that it built perfectly to a total crescendo of music and dance. When intermission arrived we hated seeing the curtain fall.

When we turned around and spotted Diane Sawyer and hubby Mike Nichols canoodling we behaved ourselves and did not interrupt them. Later when we were behind them leaving the theater (he in very comfy looking sneaks and she in tottering heels) holding hands, we still resisted approaching them to tell them what fans we are of both of their work.

Back to the show. There wasn’t a single word spoken. Vocally that is. There were volumes spoken via the songs, the personalities of the dancers and the costumes that each wore. We knew exactly what was being said. Just watching these dancers was mesmerizing. Their musculature, the way they held themselves - everything said something Every single smile, eye blink and hand motion spoke to us. As a company, they were divine. Karine Plantadit, Keith Roberts and Charlie Neshyba-Hidges were justifiably the standouts.

The finale came in waves. It began with My Way which became New York, New York and then morphed into All the Way. COME FLY AWAY goes all the way. It’s a divine diversion from the plays and comedies we usually see on the Great White Way. It swept us up into the music and dance. How we wish we could sing and dance!

Next Up: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC!