{"id":367989,"date":"2026-08-11T01:56:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T01:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/367989\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T01:56:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T01:56:14","slug":"players-circle-theatres-my-way-cabaret-will-appeal-to-fans-of-frank-sinatra-and-bruno-mars-wgcu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/367989\/","title":{"rendered":"Players Circle Theatre’s ‘My Way’ cabaret will appeal to fans of Frank Sinatra and Bruno Mars | WGCU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ted Wioncek is an unabashed Frank Sinatra fan. The associate artistic director of Players Circle Theatre is not the only one. So is Bruno Mars.<\/p>\n

Not only did Sinatra inspire Mars to become a vocalist, but also Mars\u2019 current bolero-driven hit, \u201cRisk It All\u201d – currently No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 Chart \u2013 draws comparisons to Sinatra\u2019s \u201cMy Way.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, if you too can\u2019t get enough of \u201cOld Blue Eyes,\u201d then plan on seeing \u201cMy Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra\u201d at Players Circle Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t about impersonating Frank Sinatra,\u201d says Wioncek. \u201cIt\u2019s about celebrating one of the greatest collections of songs ever assembled \u2014 standards that have become part of America\u2019s musical DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"'MY<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release <\/p>\n

‘MY WAY’ lounge singers Kimberly Suskind, Ruthgena Faraco and AJ Mendini. <\/p>\n

MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n

Rather than telling Sinatra\u2019s life story, \u201cMY WAY\u201d celebrates the music that made \u201cThe Chairman of the Board\u201d one of America\u2019s greatest entertainers. Created by David Grapes and Todd Olson, with arrangements by Vince di Mura, the revue pays tribute to the legendary performer affectionately known as \u201cThe Voice.\u201d The production combines dazzling vocals, heartfelt storytelling, outstanding musicianship, and timeless songs into an evening designed to delight devoted Sinatra fans and newcomers alike.<\/p>\n

\"Ted<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release <\/p>\n

Ted Wioncek III is not only a ‘MY WAY’ performer, he is also Players Circle Theatre’s associate artistic director. <\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre previously produced \u201cMY WAY\u201d in 2024. The audience reception and critical acclaim were so positive, that it is bringing the show back for a limited engagement during the final two weeks of August.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release <\/p>\n

In addition to performing in numerous Players Circle productions, Kimberly Suskind is also the company’s director of education. <\/p>\n

For this special production, Players Circle once again transforms its intimate theater into The Circle Lounge, a lavish vintage nightclub featuring cabaret-style seating, cocktail service, innovative multimedia, immersive staging, and a live jazz trio. The result is far more than a concert. It is a fully immersive evening that transports audiences to the glamour and sophistication of the golden age of American nightlife.<\/p>\n

BroadwayWorld called the 2024 production \u201cperfection,\u201d saying audiences would \u201cswear you have time warped into the 1950s.\u201d BroadwayWorld also praised the production\u2019s authentic nightclub atmosphere and declared that the cast of four did a \u201cremarkable job\u201d bringing Sinatra\u2019s legendary songbook to life.<\/p>\n

\"AJ<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release<\/p>\n

AJ Mendini returns to perform for Players Circle Theatre in ‘MY WAY: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.’ <\/p>\n

That celebrated all-star cast \u2014 AJ Mendini, Ruthgena Faraco, Kimberly Suskind, and Ted Wioncek III \u2014 has been reunited for this encore performance.<\/p>\n

Backed by a sensational live onstage jazz trio, the performers guide audiences through the pivotal moments of Frank Sinatra\u2019s extraordinary five-decade career with more than 50 unforgettable classics, including \u201cAll of Me,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve Got the World on a String,\u201d \u201cHigh Hopes,\u201d \u201cMy Funny Valentine,\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s Face the Music and Dance,\u201d \u201cChicago,\u201d \u201cSummer Wind,\u201d \u201cThe Lady Is a Tramp,\u201d \u201cWitchcraft,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve Got You Under My Skin,\u201d \u201cFly Me to the Moon,\u201d \u201cThe Best Is Yet to Come,\u201d \u201cTheme from New York, New York,\u201d \u201cMy Way,\u201d and many more.<\/p>\n

\"Ruthgena<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release<\/p>\n

Ruthgena Faraco returns to perform for Players Circle Theatre in ‘MY WAY: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.’ <\/p>\n

\u201cCombined with the intimacy of The Circle Lounge, audiences don\u2019t simply watch the show. They become part of the experience,\u201d added Wioncek, who directed the show, with choreography by Kimberly Suskind and music direction by Drew Scott.<\/p>\n

Performances run Aug. 14\u201330 at Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. For tickets and performance information, visit PlayersCircleTheater.com or call the box office at 239-800-3292.<\/p>\n

Go here to listen to John Davis\u2019 interview of Ted Wioncek, III, Kimberly Suskind and A.J. Mendini on Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition [run time 23:47].<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre website<\/p>\n

Drew Scott on piano, Tim Torres on bass and Josue Gallardo on drums are the ‘MY WAY’ jazz trio.<\/p>\n

A note about \u2018Risk It All\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cRisk It All\u201d is a release from Mars\u2019 fourth studio album, \u201cThe Romantic,\u201d which came out Feb. 27.<\/p>\n

It marked Mars\u2019 first solo album in a decade.<\/p>\n

The lead single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January.<\/p>\n

In addition to topping the Global chart, \u201cRisk It All\u201d reached No. 4 on the Hot 100, making it Mars\u2019 22nd top-10 hit.<\/p>\n

The song also topped the Streaming Songs chart, his fifth No. 1 on that metric.
The Sinatra influence can be found more in the song\u2019s self-confident swagger than its Latino beat, which incorporates Mexican bolero (which is a romantic ballad that originated in Cuba), L.A.-style mariachi, R&B and jazz.<\/p>\n

Mars incorporates numerous visual nods to Mexican culture in his video for the song<\/a>, including a mariachi band and a Virgin de Guadalupe gold chain. The storyline is built around a wedding so that, no doubt, the song will be played during wedding receptions forever.<\/p>\n

Support for WGCU\u2019s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace.<\/p>\n

\"Wioncek,<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Players Circle Theatre<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

Players Circle Theatre press release <\/p>\n

Wioncek, Suskind, Faraco and Mendini perform in the circle lounge during ‘MY WAY: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.’ <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ted Wioncek is an unabashed Frank Sinatra fan. The associate artistic director of Players Circle Theatre is not…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":367990,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-367989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=367989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=367989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=367989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=367989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}