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March 20, 2008 issue

Swing! The Musical, Featured at Lees-McRae April 2 through 6

Veterans Admitted Free

Story by Celeste von Mangan

The big band music of the World War II era will be featured in five special performances of Swing! The Musical at Lees-McRae College’s Hayes Auditorium. Performances are Wednesday, April 2, through Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m.

“Let’s start by saying that we are using this show as a laboratory experience,” said Director Dr. Janet Barton Speer. “The [Division of Performing Arts] students are delving into the dance, music and history of the swing era. They are studying the era and are re-creating the sounds and moves that made the big band times so wonderful. The show is simply one song after another from one of the greatest musical eras of our time.”

“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “In the Mood” are just a few of the songs slated for this big band review.

“The Boone Big Band will be working with us,” said Speer, “and Graydon Eggers is putting together a wonderful combo to support our singers and dancers.”

Approximately 35 people are involved in the Swing! production, including Jim Taylor as music director, Danielle Baesdon as lighting designer, Christopher Carr as set designer, Jason Pickering as sound designer and both Michael Hannah and Tessa Carr as costume designers.

“An important part is that veterans are admitted for free, and they will be honored each night,” said Speer. “We want to re-create the USO feel of the 1940s, where soldiers could come and rest and relax.”   

Besides music, clothing in the 1940s was distinct, and the costume designers for Swing! have labored to create authentic replicas and to find originals.

“Some costumes are vintage and some are being built,” said Speer. “We are trying to get the feel of the era with both pulled and built pieces.”

The students also unearthed a number of little-known historical details about popular tunes of the time period.

“’Jumpin’ at the Woodside’ is from the Count Basie side of the tradition and has a slightly different energy and musical feel,” said Speer, “one that is faster, hotter and a little more raw. It captures the paradox of jazz, perfectly precise execution with freer expression. The style is fast, loose-limbed and low to the ground.”

But don’t expect the production to highlight only music, with a singer sitting or standing at the microphone while the band plays the song. One of the challenges of pulling together an era-soaked production like Swing! is reenacting the physically taxing dance moves that accompany swing jazz dancing. A few of the students helped with the choreography.

“This show is so athletic!” said Speer. “The students have to work stunts and throws over and over again with their partners in order to get it right—and safe. The music is also very challenging with that close harmony.”

So how did the concept for Swing! arise and evolve in the first place?

“I was looking for a show for this year and we knew we had a wonderful combination of singers and dancers this year in our student body,” said Speer. “This show was perfect and it allowed us to work with the history, as well as the music and dance from that era. It had a very successful run in New York.” 

Because Swing! is also about honoring America’s service personnel, all veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms to the performances.

“We’ve been working since January to put this together and we’re very proud of what we will be bringing to our audiences when we Swing!,” said Speer.

Purchase tickets at the door, prior to curtain, up to one hour in advance; plenty of seating is available. Tickets for adults cost $12, students and children cost $5 and remember—all veterans are admitted free. For more information call 828-898-8709.

Want To Go?

Date: Wednesday to Sunday, April 2 to 6
Time: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday/2:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Hayes Auditorium, Lees-McRae campus
Cost: Free for veterans/$12 adults/$5 students and children