For Father-Daughter Duo, Life Is A Cabaret

For Father-Daughter Duo, Life Is A Cabaret

Frank Silletti and Ava Vukic. | Photo: Mark Vieira

David-Elijah Nahmod
Published on March 23, 2018

The teen years are challenging time for many parents, but Frank Silletti, 56, and daughter Ava Vukic, 14, have a harmonious relationship.

The duo recently performed together for a sold-out show at Feinstein's At The Nikko, their second engagement at the nightclub. Their show, Yours And Mine: The Judy and Liza Effect, was dedicated to Hollywood legends Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, also parent and child. 

"I was obsessed with Judy Garland right after my first television viewing of The Wizard of Oz in early childhood," said Silletti. "I always believed every word that Judy said on screen, I believed her characters were real and she always spoke directly to my heart."

Silletti recalls singing to his daughter as soon as she came home from the hospital.

"I had a captive audience and she loved it. Most of the time it was Judy or Liza songs," he said. "She responded so intently, even before she could talk, that I would frequently call my husband Sonny into the room to observe."

Silletti and Vukic in performance. | Photo: Mark Vieira

Vukic said she fell in love with Judy Garland at the age of two while watching Easter Parade.

"I was too young to get the story, so he would just play the songs for me and then he would teach them to me," said Vukic. "He especially wanted me to know the title song before I went to my first real Easter Parade on Union Street."

Silletti began taking Vukic to cabaret performances and Liza Minnelli concerts. Eventually, they decided to perform together. 

Silletti and Vukic signing CDs. | Photo: David-Elijah Nahmod/hoodline

"Since I also make and design costumes for Ava, usually replicas of costumes from all the classic musicals and films, a perfect day for me in San Francisco is scouring fabric stores and thrift shops for inspiration," Silletti said.

"My favorite is when I drop Ava off at her dance classes in the Mission and walk from Fabric Outlet on Mission to The Community Thrift Store on Valencia and then to Cliff’s Variety on Castro. That is heaven for me."

"It’s great being on stage with my Dad," Vukic said. "Not many kids have the opportunity to be on stage at this age and doing it with your father is even better. To work and sing together and create art out of our life, how cool is that!"

Photo: David-Elijah Nahmod/hoodline

Silletti is proud of his child, but he knows he'll have to let her go one day.

"Our teaming up was always meant to be a springboard for Ava to go on and do other things," he said. "My purpose has always been to create a safe environment for Ava to work with professionals and get the experience necessary without her actually having to work and audition right now."

Yours And Mine: The Judy & Liza Effect by Ava Vukic and Frank Silletti will soon be available at CDBaby.com.