My Way
A Musical Tribute To Frank
Sinatra
Opens July 23
Opening July 23 and running two weekends through August 1 is My Way, a musical
featuring the sounds and songs of Frank Sinatra. This show opens the RTG's 67th
season and highlights the brand-new auditorium seats and re-decorated lobby.
Conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson, with book by Todd Olson, My Way features
four singers interpreting songs that Sinatra made famous throughout his career.
The setting is a nightclub; the time is the present. While no actor actually
pretends to be Sinatra, the two couples sing in Sinatra styles, from his suave-crooner
youth to his mature "My Way" sound.
In between songs the cast members tell us a bit about Sinatra, the singer, the
lover of women, the rat packer, the man who lived a full life. People of all
ages will recognize and enjoy the songs.
And what songs! Ol' Blue Eyes recorded more than 1300 songs, and many of them
are packed into this musical. You'll hear love songs, including, "The Lady
Is a Tramp," "My Funny Valentine," "I've Got You Under My
Skin," and "Strangers in the Night." You'll hear songs that evoke
a time or a mood, including, "That Old Black Magic," "Fly Me
to the Moon," and "My Kind of Town." You'll hear songs that have
become inextricably linked with Sinatra, like "New York, New York,"
"That's Life," and "My Way."
My Way was written in 1999, and it has been seen around the country in regional
and community theatre productions. Audiences have loved this vehicle to showcase
Sinatra songs.
My Way opens July 23 and runs two weekends through August 1. Call the box office
at 633-4218 to order tickets. You won't want to miss this musical tribute to
Frank Sinatra.
For opening night a special event is planned. On July 23, on stage after the
performance, WRJN radio will host a contest. Prizes will be awarded. In addition,
Midwest Airlines is giving away two round-trip tickets to any Midwest destination.
A drawing will be held on WRJN radio August 2; entry forms available at the
Guild and WRJN.
From the Director - Doug Instenes
More Than a Building
I don't know how many of you had a chance this summer to see the Guild under construction. In one day, all the seats were gone, the carpeting torn up, the paneling taken down and wallpaper ripped off the walls. It was very strange to see our auditorium that only two days earlier had hundreds of people watching a play, laughing and full of life, now reduced to an empty shell. A number of people joked that, " if the seats don't come in, we should get pillows and do a season of Greek or Roman plays. "
As I viewed this empty theatre, it made me think of all the effort that must
have gone into building the theatre in 1976. Norm McPhee and the volunteers
must have felt excitement and pride as they saw it grow day by day, the foundation
poured, and the carpeting installed.
Over the last month, I have gotten a sense of that pride. I have seen people
of all ages and from all areas of the Racine/Kenosha community come together
to lend a hand.
While I think you will love the Guild's new look, it was just another reminder
to me that the Guild is so much more than the brand-new seats and carpet. It's
the kids scraping off wallpaper, or a senior sanding the walls or moving furniture.
The Theatre Guild is made up of the people that occupy the building, not the
building itself.
What this beautiful building represents to me is the amazing amount of love
and dedication people have for the Guild. It's the audience members and local
businesses who helped by donating money for the repairs, and the volunteers
that made it all happen.
Without you, the RTG would just be an empty building. Because of you, we are
a place full of enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication. It's your theatre. I
hope you enjoy it.
MY WAY
A Musical Tribute to
Frank Sinatra
conceived by
David Grapes & Todd Olson
book by
Todd Olson
Choreographer/Staging
KARA ERNST
Music Director/Band
GREG BERG
CAST
Rita Torcaso
Nick Holub
Teri Wilson
Mike Kroes
BAND
Piano .......................... Jane Livingston
Bass ............................Mike Gudbaur
Percussion .................. Shawn Collins
CREW
Scenic Design/Tech. Dir. ... Kurt Oian
Stage Manager .................. Eric Guttenberg
Asst. St. Mgr. ................... Russ Stetler
Wardrobe ......................... Jan Strack
Light Design ...................... Betsy Kippers
Light Technician ................ Michelle Miller
Sound Technician .............. Eric Goodwin