Port Elizabeth fans of singer Frank Sinatra will get to relive his stage moments with Los Angeles singer and actor Richard Shelton – dubbed one of the world’s greatest Sinatra impersonators – at the Boardwalk ICC on Friday.
Shelton brings his critically acclaimed Sinatra tribute show Sinatra & Me to the Bay after enchanting audiences at soldout venues in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg in March.
“This is the most welcoming and beautiful country and I’m absolutely thrilled to be here.
“Audiences have been so enraptured by the show and it’s thrilling,” Shelton said.
The tour is Shelton’s first visit to SA to give the audience “fun, a chance to hear life affirming messages and the glorious hits of Frank Sinatra”.
In the one-night Port Elizabeth show Shelton will recreate some of Sinatra’s greatest classics, including Come Fly With Me, The Lady is a Tramp, Moonlight in Vermont, My Way
and Strangers in the Night.
Of all Sinatra’s hits, Shelton says he loves That’s Life in which Sinatra sings “I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king, I’ve been up and down, and over and out, but I know a thing . . .”
“It’s the anthem for the everyman and woman. I think we all feel that in life.
“We all feel the unpredictable twists and turns of the road of life and when it’s infused with the authenticity of Sinatra’s tones, it’s simply unbeatable,” he said.
Shelton’s Sinatra impersonation earned him a Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards nomination for best actor in a leading role after he played the musician in the hard-hitting drama Rat Pack Confidential.
He has also played Sinatra in Sinatra: RAW, for which he was nominated in the best actor in a musical category.
“I lose myself and allow [Sinatra] to occupy me, I evoke a moment with him.
“That way, you get the honesty and integrity of the man and his music.
“Always tell the truth, allow the truth to come through and you’ve got it!
“I’ve watched a lot of videos about Sinatra and I’m steeped in his magic,” he said.
He delivered the Johannesburg show with the 17-piece Johannesburg Big Band and a seven-piece band in all other cities for logistical purposes.
“The Johannesburg Big Band has been marvellous – there’s absolutely nothing on earth to compare to singing with a rocket-fuelled big band and we’re in a huge theatre – it’s just marvellous and the musicians here are superb.
“Logistics mean that outside of that forum, it’s difficult to house so many musicians, so we reduce the band, but the music and feel is the same.”
Shelton credits Sinatra’s popularity for the warm welcome and sold-out shows in South Africa.
“It’s an honour to be walking and singing in [Sinatra’s] footsteps, evoking a moment in time and bringing him to life. “He’s the reason I’m here. “It’s an honour to be portraying him and allowing him into people’s lives for a moment.
“People have been very complimentary,” he said.
Shelton said he would take a 10-day holiday after his final show to explore the country.
“I can’t wait to see the wildlife and scenery.
“I think it right-sizes us as living organisms on this planet.
“We share it – I think people and global societies are in danger of forgetting that,” he said.
Sinatra & Me will be at the Guild Theatre in East London on Wednesday.