Sinatra and Friends

Sinatra and Friends
Michael Feinstein. Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Her Majesty’s Theatre. June 23, 2017

The Great American Songbook has never been safer than in the hands of entertainer Michael Feinstein. Affectionately called the ambassador of this genre, he has made it his life’s work to share globally these unique decades in musical composition and performance.

Showcasing composers and lyricists such as George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Sammy Cahn and Bart Howard, Feinstein exudes love and respect for his contemporaries and one-time friends.

Opening with the Broadway smash ‘Luck be a Lady’ from Guys and Dolls, I knew I was in for a special evening when Feinstein’s dulcet tones, backed by the big band, made the hairs on my arm stand on end. Oozing charm with his confident delivery, he captures gems from the past and makes them his own.

Feinstein retells stories from yesteryear about his meetings with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr and Peter Allen. His added insight into the writing process meant we got an intimate look at the birth of classics such as ‘Come Fly with Me’ and ‘Night and Day’.

All the audience could do was to sit back and marvel at the huge talent of this consummate professional and his 17-piece band. ‘St Louis Blues’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’ were personal highlights in what could be best described as a trip down memory lane.

His extended medley of Sinatra standards was met with rapturous applause, as was his rendition of 'New York, New York', a numberhe belted out whilst standing on top of a grand piano.

There are not enough adjectives to describe this incredible performer; all I can say is I left the theatre a fan.

Kerry Cooper

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