Story of Big Band Leader Ina Ray Hutton Comes to Chicago Fringe, 9/3-6

The story of Chicago's own famed 1930's Big Band leader Ina Ray Hutton is set to dazzle at The Gift Theatre.

Written and performed by Melissa Ritz, Journey of a Bombshell: The Ina Ray Hutton Story recently received the "Pick of the Fringe" award at the Capital Fringe. Previously presented in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City, the show tells the story-based on true events-of a young tap dancer from the South Side of Chicago who finds success and heartbreak on the stages of Broadway and beyond, in a world where she denied her roots to achieve her dreams.

Ina Ray Hutton was the most successful female conductor of an "all-girl" band, The Melodears, during the Big Band era. She was the first woman to conduct all-male bands in the 1940's, and the first woman to have her own TV show on NBC in the 1950's. She was renowned in her day, but her personal life was even more compelling with family secrets and career twists that piqued Ritz's interest. This set Ritz on a four-year immersion into all things Hutton, which included leaning personal and press information, interviewing surviving band members, and learning to tap dance. Ritz moved to New York City in 2013 and became involved with director Julie Kline at the United Solo Theater Festival, where Ritz earned the Best Emerging Actress Award. The show incorporates video projection, music, and tap dancing.

A surviving dancer from one of Ina Ray Hutton's all-girl band shows was thrilled at Ritz's portrayal of Hutton: "I was charmed by Melissa's depiction of her in this show-she had all the right moves. I loved her version of the male characters in the show also-very entertaining and informative for younger people who may not know about one of the stars of my generation." - Flip Manne

IF YOU GO:

Date & time: September 3rd at 7pm, September 5th at 4pm, September 6th at 8:30pm.
Location: The Gift Theatre, 4802 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Tickets are $15 at: www.ChicagoFringe.org
For more information, visit: www.BombshellOfRhythm.com