BWW Interviews: Cody Green Brings COME FLY AWAY to Canada

On Thursday, August 18th Come Fly Away danced its way into the hearts of Toronto audiences when the show had its official opening at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The show was conceived, choreographed and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and features music by Frank Sinatra (by special arrangement with the Frank Sinatra Family and Frank Sinatra Enterprises) and a live 14-piece band to accompany the tunes.

Some of the world's finest dancers (many of whom were part of the Broadway production) are along for the ride on the National Tour, which is currently enjoying its only Canadian stop in Toronto. The show blends Frank's legendary vocals with a live on-stage band (whom the audience loved) and the dancers to create a unique and electrifying theatre experience unlike anything most Torontonians have seen before.

BWW sat down to speak with Cody Green, who is one of the Canadians in the cast, about what the experience has been like so far, how he feels bringing the show home to Canadian soil and of course, Frank Sinatra:

Congratulations and welcome to Toronto! Is this your first time performing here?
Actually it is my first time performing in Toronto. I can't believe it. I've been working on Broadway for a long time, but being Canadian I've always wanted to perform in Canada!

What are you most looking forward to about bringing Come Fly Away to our city (and a Canadian audience)?

I know there is a great appreciation for Dance in Toronto and Canada in general. Twyla Tharp is a living legend in the dance world and I'm excited that we get to bring this show to a Canadian audience.

As one of the Canadians in the cast, do you feel a bit of a responsibility to be the ambassador of our country to your fellow castmates? If so, what are some of the must-see spots you will point out to them?

Oh, definitely. I'm trying to take everyone out as much as possible. Being from Vancouver I'm not as familiar with the city as one of our other cast members Justin Peck who went to school here. But we're giving everyone the full tour of the city.

You get to perform Come Fly Away in the gorgeous Four Seasons Centre fro the Arts, which just happens to house The National Ballet of Canada during their season. Is that a daunting thought at all? Especially with a show that is so heavy on the dance aspect?

I think it's wonderful to be performing in that theater. This is a dance show. It is as close to concert dance that you get on Broadway. That's what's so special about what Twyla did with her Tony winning Broadway show Movin' Out and now with Come Fly Away. She brings dancing of a caliber that you don't normally get to see on a Broadway stage. I think it's a good fit in this beautiful theater, we feel quite lucky.

This show features choreography by the incredible Twyla Tharp, who you worked with on both CFA and also Movin' Out. Are there similarities between the two shows? Was one more demanding than the other for you as a dancer?

The two shows are very different. But, both shows are very challenging dance wise. Once we start moving we don't stop until the show is done. Movin' Out was a little more explosive because of the Billy Joel music. But Come Fly Away is even more challenging because it not only takes that same attack but there's a certain maturity and grace that is key to this choreography. Also, there is amazing partnering in Come Fly Away!

I'm sure it's hard to choose, but do you have a favourite Sinatra tune? And is it featured in the show?

My favorite Sinatra song would have to be "one for my baby". It's a beautiful and sexy pas de deux in the show.

Finally, for our younger audience who may not be as familiar with Twyla or Frank's music, what would you say to encourage them to come out and see the show?

Come see the show. It's exciting, it's fun and it's sexy. The Sinatra music is infectious and the great thing about the dancing is that see relationships onstage, you see characters expressed through dance. Did I mention it was sexy? ;-)

When and Where?

Dancap Productions presents COME FLY AWAY
The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Performance Schedule

August 16 - 28, 2011
Tuesday - Saturday @ 7:30pm, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday @ 2pm

Ticket prices range from $42 - $135;
Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416.644.3665 (1.800.950.7469) or online at www.dancaptickets.com

For more information on Come Fly Away, please visit the official site of the tour at www.comeflyaway.com

Photo of Cody Green by Racheal McCaig Photography