IN THE MOOD Coming to Citi Emerson Colonial Theatre, 5/12-24
By: Tyler Peterson Mar. 12, 2015
IN THE MOOD returns to Boston by popular demand, after playing an extremely successful engagement with several sold-out performances, at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in November 2013.
The show recreates the swing era with sizzling choreography, sassy costumes and over 40 unforgettable songs performed live on stage, including Chattanooga Choo Choo, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B), In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, Sing, Sing, Sing, Bugle Call Rag, On The Sunny Side of the Street, What Do You Do In The Infantry, Over There, He's 1-A in the Army, A-1 In My Heart and more, performed by the String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra and IN THE MOOD Singers & Swing Dancers.
Now in its 21st season of sold-out performances across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, IN THE MOOD celebrates America's Greatest Generation through the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and other idols of the 1940s. The show's music arrangements, renditions of the finest music of the Swing Era, costumes and choreography authentically recreate the era.
IN THE MOOD maintains a fresh, dynamic, ever-changing perspective on the culture of the Swing Era. While there are a number of permanent songs in the show, many are rotated out and replaced with selections from the huge body of Swing-Era music. IN THE MOOD was staged and choreographed by Alex Sanchez (seen in several Broadway productions, including Fosse, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Wonderful Town).
Creator and producer Bud Forrest is a Juilliard trained pianist and conductor who served as accompanist for the U.S. Air Force chorus The Singing Sergeants. He compiled the greatest music from the swing era into a revue about the big band era and the influence of this music during the WWII years. The second act is experienced as a moving tribute to those who fought the war.
IN THE MOOD takes a look at America's Swing Era. Swing music ranged from mellow intimate ballads to up-tempo big band rhythms, where the waltz and fox trot competed with the wild, acrobatic jitterbug and jive, and boogie-woogie crazed hepcats crowded the dance floors.
Swing Music inspired America with a vision for the future filled with hope, promise and prosperity. The music moved the Nation's spirit and helped to sustain the nation's morale during World War II, the pivotal event of the 1940s.
IN THE MOOD captures the feel of the 1940s in part because of the involvement of the late Vic Schoen as the show's primary arranger. Mr. Schoen created the musical arrangements for the entire career of the legendary Andrews Sisters. He became music director for both Paramount and Universal Pictures as well as music director for the Dinah Shore show, and was one of the seminal creators of the swing-era sound which he imbued into IN THE MOOD.
In 1993, the National Archives in Washington, DC brought IN THE MOOD to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWI, and the response was extraordinary, with crowds lining up for hours before curtain time. 5,000 attended the out-of-doors performance on the steps of the National Archives building on Constitution Avenue, with many staying to dance the night away. As a result, IN THE MOOD, in affiliation with the USO, began a series of tours which played to audiences across the United States during the 50th Commemoration of WWII.
The band and singers were selected in 1997 to be part of the entertainment for the 2nd Inauguration of President Bill Clinton. IN THE MOOD was the National Touring Event for the celebration Spirit of '45, a national project that recognizes the people who fought WWII and their legacy of a rebuilt Europe and Japan and The United Nations, and salutes those who laid the foundation for America's peace and prosperity.
The Boston engagement is presented by Artbeat, Inc., (www.artbeatshows.org), David Shaw, President. For more information about IN THE MOOD visit www.inthemoodlive.com
IN THE MOOD plays at the Emerson Colonial Theatre for eighteen performances only, Tuesday, May 12 through Sunday, May 24, 2015: evenings at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings; and matinees at 2:00 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are priced at $25.00 - $89.00; all prices include a $4.00 facility fee per ticket. Prices may change without notice. Tickets are now on sale at the Citi Center box office, through www.citicenter.org or by calling 800-982-ARTS (2787), or through Ticketmaster. Groups of 10 or more may reserve tickets now by contacting Citi Performing Arts Center Group Sales at (617) 532-1116 or groups@citicenter.org,
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