Review: Was that Frank Sinatra on stage at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion?

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Sinatra fans were enchanted with the impressive performance, “FRANK. The Man. The Music. starring Bob Anderson,” at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Saturday, April 6. The recreation of an evening spent with Frank Sinatra struck a strange similarity to the real thing.

The show opened with a video of the star preparing backstage. As “Frank” entered, the audience broke out in applause the moment he opened with the song “Come Fly with Me.” From the costume and singing style to the gestures and stories told, Anderson made Sinatra come alive, and the audience soaked it up with delight.

From the second Bob Anderson stepped out until the show concluded, it was Frank Sinatra all night. Anderson perfectly executed the role, not stepping out of character for a beat. One person in the audience said they thought Anderson dove even deeper into character throughout the opening set of songs.

Sinatra (Anderson) grabbed a drink, saying it was time for a toast since it was past noon. “I hope everyone here lives to be 100,” Anderson said. He conversed with the audience and the orchestra between songs.

More than just singing, this performance set out to re-enact an experience. Anderson spoke with the piano player, had a drink, lit a cigarette, and sang what he called “saloon songs” such as “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road).”

After speaking of fond memories created at Capitol Records, the stage and everyone on it shifted. Before the audience was a scene from inside the recording studio as Frank and the musicians set off to get a good take. This part of the show is fitting as Sinatra (Anderson) said, “I spent about a third of my life in a recording studio.”

The crowd went wild for the hit “New York, New York.” With so many beloved songs to squeeze into a concert, Anderson performed a musical medley singing bits from many of Sinatra’s popular tunes toward the end of the performance.

Those who loved Sinatra’s music received quite a full taste of it along with some of his humor. The performance extended beyond the scheduled 90-minute time length. Sinatra (Anderson) concluded the experience after the standing encore by singing “Send in the Clowns.” The Woodlands was the first stop for this touring theatrical experience. With such a well-received and excellent performance, “FRANK. The Man. The Music. starring Bob Anderson” is set to be a very successful show.