Sinatra stories and songs in Parsippany
When Frank Sinatra was born, he weighed over 13 lbs.
As a kid growing up in Hoboken, young Frankie would swim near the city’s docks, not far from where the movie “On the Waterfront” was filmed.
These and other less-well-known facts about the man known as the Chairman of the Board are peppered through the two-man production “A Touch of Sinatra,” written and directed by Joe Gilligan of Ringwood.
“A Touch of Sinatra” comes to the Women’s Theater Co. in Parsippany this Saturday and Sunday.
Though Sinatra has been the subject of much attention in recent months – in large part because this centennial was this past Dec. 12 – much about the man remains relatively unknown, according to Gilligan.
“The story of his life is fascinating,” says Gilligan. “There’s so much people don’t realize about him.”
Gilligan notes, for example, that Sinatra gave a considerable amount of money to charities, especially those associated with children. “But he didn’t talk about it,” Gilligan says.
Anecdotes are only part of “A Touch of Sinatra.” The songs associated with Sinatra are performed by Donnie Farraro. Gilligan serves as narrator and also performs songs associated with vocalists Dean Martin and Johnnie Ray.
Gilligan says he carefully chose each song to match the story that precedes it. For example, the anecdote about Sinatra swimming in Hoboken is followed by “Summer Wind.”
Ironically, though he has immersed himself in Sinatra lore in recent years, Gilligan says he was not a die-hard Sinatra fan when he was growing up.
“My mother is Italian,” Gillian says. “After Sinatra divorced (his first wife) Nancy, you weren’t supposed to mention his name.”
About 20 years ago, Gilligan began singing with a small orchestra called Reminisce, which specialized in music of the 1940s and 1950s. Inevitably, the group would perform some of Sinatra’s songs.
“I came to appreciate what a great singer Sinatra was,” Gilligan says. “He wasn’t a power singer. Every song he did was great for his voice.”
About three years ago, Gilligan decided to part from Reminisce, but he wanted to continue performing. He reached out to Farraro, who he describes as “a phenomenal singer in the Sinatra style.”
Gilligan and Farraro actually had known each other years ago, when both worked at the Hackensack Water Co. “We knew each other, but we didn’t know the other one sang,” Gilligan recalls with a laugh.
That changed a few years ago when Farraro attended a Reminisce performance and re-connected with Gilligan.
“Donnie had recovered from Stage 4 cancer of the throat, and he was back singing again,” Gilligan says. “Since I was looking to get away from Reminisce, the timing was perfect.”
Since launching “A Touch of Sinatra” about three years ago, Gilligan and Farraro have performed together about 400 shows. Though most audiences tend to be seniors, Gilligan has noticed that listeners in their 20s and 30s still appreciate the songs.
“Seniors love this music because it brings back memories,” Gilligan says. “Every song is a memory. I take people back to their teen years, and who doesn’t want to be a teenager again, at least for a little while.”
“But I’ve seen about a quarter of the crowds are 25 to 30 years old,” he adds. “And they know all Sinatra’s songs. It’s great to see.”
A TOUCH OF SINATRA
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
and 3 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Women’s Theater Co., Parsippany Playhouse at Parsippany Community Center, 1130 Knoll Rd., Lake Hiawatha. (On a GPS system, use “Boonton, NJ 07005.”)
TICKETS: $25, $20 for seniors.
INFO: 973-316-3033 or www.womenstheater.org