IN THE MOOD National Tour Kicks Off in Melbourne, Sept. 8

Following their 2011 and 2013 sold out Australian tours, the brassy, all-singing-all-dancing-all-American celebration of Swing Jazz returns to our shores on a massive coast to coast run throughout September and into October.

This year marks 23 seasons for the blistering String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra and inexhaustible IN THE MOOD Singers and Dancers from New York, who are sensational in this retro revue featuring the music which guided a nation's spirit towards hope, promise and prosperity.

Hep Cats, Lindy Hoppers and fans of the Big Band sound will be tapping their feet to those iconic 1940's beats during more than 30 performances in Melbourne, Nowra, Sydney, Mandurah, Perth, Bunbury, regional Victoria and Queensland, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The 1940's was a time when America was in tune with sentimental ballads and up-tempo Swing, where the waltz and foxtrot competed with the wild, acrobatic jitterbug, jive and boogie woogie crazed sub-culture on the dance floor.

IN THE MOOD recreates this defining era live on stage through sizzling choreography (from Alex Sanchez - a veteran of 10 Broadway musicals), familiar melodies and romantic ballads, sassy costumes and pulsating rhythms from the STRING OF PEARLS Big Band Orchestra, belting out an authentic score of over fifty timeless hits from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and the Andrews Sisters -

Chattanooga Choo Choo, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B), In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, Sing, Sing, Sing, Well Get It, Lili Marlene, 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 so much more.

IN THE MOOD is high-energy, world class family entertainment and tours regularly throughout the USA, Canada and Europe. It was performed at the 1997 Inaugural Ball for President Bill Clinton, selected by World USO as an official entertainment for the 50th World War II Commemoration and the National Touring Event for the Spirit of 45 year-long celebration, marking the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII.

Accompanist for the official United States Air Force Chorus, The Singing Sergeants, IN THE MOOD Creator, Producer and Artistic Director Bud Forrest says:

"Many of the arrangements were written by Vic Schoen, the conductor for the Andrews Sisters and Musical Director for Universal and Paramount Pictures. The songs are timeless and this production is as authentic as it gets. We have incorporated influences from our previous Australian visits into the show and are thrilled and honoured to be returning."

If you're IN THE MOOD for a nostalgic journey through the music of a great generation, confirm your seats early to avoid disappointment as earlier Australian tours sold out.

Tickets for IN THE MOOD are on sale at all locations from 9am Monday 23 May so don't miss this sensational family show! Reviews and Tour details follow.

*** ON SALE 9AM MONDAY 23 MAY ***

AUSTRALIA 2016 TOUR DATES

SEPTEMBER

Thurs 8 Sept Her Majesty's Theatre MELBOURNE 132 849 www.ticketek.com.au

Sat 10 Sept Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre NOWRA 1300 788 503 www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au

Sun 11 Sept Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 02 4723 7600 www.thejoan.com.au

(Richard Bonynge Concert Hall) PENRITH

Wed 14 Sept MANDURAH Performing Arts Centre 08 9550 3900 www.manpac.com.au

Thurs 15 Sept Regal Theatre PERTH 132 849 www.ticketek.com.au

Fri 16 Sept Regal Theatre PERTH 132 849 www.ticketek.com.au

Sun 18 Sept BUNBURY Regional Entertainment Centre 1300 661 272 www.bunburyentertainment.com

Wed 21 Sept Wendouree Centre for Perform Arts BALLARAT 03 5338 0980 www.wcpa.com.au

Thurs 22 Sept WANGARATTA Performing Arts Centre 03 5722 8105 www.wangarattapac.com.au

Fri 23 Sept Costa Hall Deakin University GEELONG 03 5225 1200 www.gpac.org.au

Sat 24 Sept Ulumbarra Theatre BENDIGO 03 5434 6100 www.gotix.com.au

Sun 25 Sept HORSHAM Town Hall 03 5382 9555 www.horshamtownhall.com.au

Tues 27 Sept The Arts Centre GOLD COAST 07 5588 4000 www.theartscentregc.com.au

Wed 28 Sept Empire Theatre TOOWOOMBA 1300 655 299 www.empiretheatre.com.au

Thurs 29 Sept QPAC BRISBANE 136 246 www.qpac.com.au

Fri 30 Sept State Theatre SYDNEY 1300 139 588 www.statetheatre.com.au

136 100 www.ticketmaster.com.au

OCTOBER

Tues 4 Oct Her Majesty's Theatre ADELAIDE 131 246 www.bass.net.au

Wed 5 Oct Her Majesty's Theatre ADELAIDE 131 246 www.bass.net.au