[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of “Sinatra: Raw” starring Richard Shelton, and directed by Andrew Lynford at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023.
It’s the Purple Room, Palm Springs, 1971. Frank Sinatra’s last concert. An intimate affair with just a few of his famous friends…and us. With a lone pianist to accompany him, Frank Sinatra sings his way through his life. Talking about Ava, Nancy and the mob. It’s a self-reflective, thoughtful journey, full of candor and his signature humor. He’s losing his career to the new music of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and feeling neglected by the world, although this was hardly his first time being off the A-list.
And so we share an evening with him and he has no real regrets…not even a few. This is an astonishing performance of one of the greatest icons of our age. Richard Shelton has performed as Sinatra all over the world to great acclaim and I can understand why. This is not mimicry. This is channeling. From the moment the house lights go down we are in the presence of Frank Sinatra. Every gesture. Every note. Every twinkle in his eye. It’s absolutely incredible. I held my breath through most of it when I wasn’t tearing up or beaming wildly. The entire audience was enraptured. Young and old, man and woman. I honestly didn’t want it to end. It felt like a long-forgotten memory and reminded me of precious evenings spent with my beloved parents, listening to the master on vinyl and singing along.
“Sinatra: Raw” is a gift. Richard Shelton sings as Sinatra and his performance is mesmerizing, emotional, tender and utterly real. I challenge anyone to discern any difference between Shelton’s voice and Sinatra’s. It really is a transcendental experience…if you love Sinatra and honestly, who doesn’t, this is unmissable.
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9679?tab=details
When:
Tuesday, June 13, 9:30pm
Saturday, June 17, 3:00pm
Wednesday, June 21, 7:30pm
Saturday, June 24, 12:30pm
Where:
The Broadwater (Main Stage)
1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038