Ava Nicole Frances: The Dream That I See (Live at The Green Room 42)

Post author:Mary Bogue
Post published: May 22, 2025
Reading time:3 mins read

Ava Nicole Frances

The Dream That I See (Live at The Green Room 42)

May 21, 2025

Reviewed by Mary Bogue

Ava Nicole Frances may be a young woman, but her debut album The Dream That I See plays like a polished overture to a Broadway career already in motion. With a voice that blends classic musical-theater clarity and the ability to belt to the back row, and the soul of a contemporary performer, Frances takes listeners on a deeply personal and spirited journey through her dream of standing in the Broadway spotlight. You can’t help but believe that with the fire in her belly, she’ll get there.

The album opens with an introduction by New York’s famed Susie Mosher and then Frances sings “Washington Square,” a heartfelt nod to her artistic roots. With music by Bob Goldstein and David Shire and special lyrics adapted by the legendary Marilyn Maye, this track immediately sets the tone: ambitious, nostalgic, and grounded in the tradition of storytelling through song. Frances sings with obvious talent and with intention. Each word carries the sincerity of a dreamer who’s been at it all her life. Frances is at a 10 out of 10 in no time; she’s a truly dynamic vocalist who’s able to use her extended tremendous vocal range with apparent ease.

More than a showcase of Broadway-ready standards, The Dream That I See offers surprising twists, like her humorous and refreshing spin on “The Sadder but Wiser Girl” from The Music Man (Meredith Willson) with additional lyrics by her and one of her two dads, Frank Stiletti. She has played Professor Harold Hill (a role traditionally played by a man); she brings playful appeal and conviction to the song and makes it a celebration of breaking barriers and embracing unexpected roles with confidence and wit. That’s Frances, who’s a fighter. Just give a listen to her convincing performance of Stephen Sondheim’s “I’m Not That Girl.”

She shows her experience as a finalist on American Idol in her energetic medley of “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” (Charles Strouse/Lee Adams)/“Don’t Rain on My Parade” (Bob Merrill/Jule Styne) where her powerhouse vocals meet sheer theatrical drive. With lyric additions once again by Siletti and Frances, the mash-up becomes more than a medley. It’s a declaration; it’s Frances telling the world that she’s not just dreaming about Broadway, she’s blazing the trail to get there.

The production values throughout the CD are clean, vibrant, and respectful of the genre and let Frances’ voice shine without unnecessary gloss. Music director/pianist Michael Collum expertly supports Frances’ every note, and every track serves the larger narrative of her assured trajectory to Broadway.

The Dream That I See is more than a debut album; it’s a reminder to every little girl with a big dream that everything is possible. Soon, the next curtain that rises will reveal Ava Nicole Frances standing center stage with an admiring audience on its feet applauding her outstanding performances.

Tags: Susie Mosher, Cabaret Reviews, CD Reviews, The Music Man, Clubs, composer, Meredith Willson, Washington Square, Michael Collum, Lot of Livin' to Do, The Sadder but Wiser Girl, David Shire, American Songbook Association, I'm Not That Girl, ASA, Ava Nicole Frances, Don’t Rain on My Parade, Music Director, The Dream That I See (Live at the Green Room 42), Bob Goldstein, Frank Siletti, Professor Harold Hill, Charles Strous.Lee Adams, Bob Merrill, Great American Songbook, Broadway, Cabaret, Broadway Musicals, Mary Bogue, Marilyn Maye, Cabaret Scenes, Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne, American Songbook, American Idol, Nightclubs, Musicals, Lyricist, Pianist, songwriter, Vocalists, CD, Singer

Mary Bogue

Mary Bogue’s journey into the world of jazz began in 1981 when she was accepted by the Monterey Jazz Festival to cover the event as a writer. It was there that jazz tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate introduced her to the legendary vocalist Helen Humes. Their interview, later published in Jazz Dispatch and distributed at the Playboy Jazz Festival, marked the beginning of Bogue’s deep connection to jazz and storytelling. One unforgettable moment came when Humes introduced her to Count Basie, saying, “Bill, this is my friend Mary. Mary, this is Bill.” That simple introduction sparked a lifelong love for jazz and a passion for writing. Among her early interviews was a conversation with the legendary Les McCann, a connection that would come full circle years later when McCann joined Bogue on her debut album, Don’t Go to Strangers, released in 2012. The album, celebrated with a launch party hosted by KJZZ, gained national airplay and recognition. Her follow-up albums, Blue Smoke and One Night of Sin, further solidified her place in the jazz world. In 2015, Bogue was honored as a Living Legend of Jazz and recognized by the Duke Ellington Society, the United States Congress, the State of California, and the City of Los Angeles. Her cabaret career took off at the iconic Gardenia in Hollywood and continued in New York at the Metropolitan Room. That same year, she joined Cabaret Scenes Magazine as a reviewer of both cabaret shows and CDs, continuing to champion jazz and cabaret through both performance and the written word. In addition to her accomplishments in music and journalism, Mary is also an accomplished visual artist. She has designed album covers and created a wide range of artwork, including oil paintings of blues singers and expressive watercolors. Her visual work, much like her music, reflects her deep passion for the soul and spirit of jazz and blues.