By Michael Nichols & Becca Jennings

“If this is just the beginning, my life’s gonna be beautiful,” Dean Martin once said. And he was right. The original cool guy with a dusky baritone voice, Dean Martin was a fast-thinking, charismatic entrepreneur who not only sang his way to stardom, but built the bridges to help get him there.

From his early days in Martin and Lewis, through film, television, and the Rat Pack, Dean Martin built more than just a dynamic career – he built a persona. Coupling that persona with his signature smooth voice, Martin left behind a great songbook of music that is still making music lovers across generations swoon.

This season, FST is shining a spotlight on that timeless songbook in That’s Amoré!

Featuring hits like “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” and, of course, “That’s Amoré,” this new FST original musical revue brings you the best of “The King of Cool.”

“Dean Martin is considered one of the greatest performers of the 20th Century,” shared Lead Developer Rebecca Hopkins. “Growing up in a small town in Stuebenville, Ohio, you would never imagine he would become such a beloved entertainer. He conquered radio, movies, and television, becoming one of the highest paid entertainers of the 1960s. Yet, he did it all with a laid back flair.”

A cast of four will bring these hits to life. Nygel Robinson, who has always looked up to Dean as well as his contemporaries, is looking forward to crooning every night in FST’s Court Cabaret. “He’s always reminded me of the ‘Jazz Elvis,’” said Robinson of Dean Martin. “With a personality like Dean’s, it’s impossible to be forgotten.”

“I think what set Dean Martin apart from the rest of The Rat Pack was his sense of comedic timing – you can’t teach that,” added cast member Mike Backes. “He took risks in front of live audiences, and he made it look effortless all show long.”

Audience members may remember Robinson and Backes from FST’s hit cabarets Blue Suede Shoes and Mack The Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook, respectively.

Joining Robinson and Backes is fellow returning artist Nick Anastasia, who delighted audiences in last season’s runaway hit celebrating male harmony groups, Unchained Melodies.

Rounding out the cast of That’s Amoré! is FST newcomer Emily Dennis, who most recently starred in the one-woman musical Tell Me On A Sunday at Lake Dillon Theatre Company. “My time at FST has been amazing so far,” shared Dennis. “This is the music I listened to growing up, it has always held a special place in my heart.”

Dean Martin’s sparkling career spanned every genre of performance and touched the lives of some of the greatest personalities in American history. Even 24 years after his death, his films continue to delight and his suave songs are the very definition of “classic.”

That’s Amoré! is playing in FST’s Court Cabaret. To purchase tickets or for more information, click here.