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.
