Story of Big Band Leader Ina Ray Hutton Comes to Chicago Fringe This Weekend
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.
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
|
Disney's The Little Mermaid The Performing Arts Center (7/18-8/02) |
|
Disney's The Little Mermaid Uptown Music Theater Highland Park (7/18-8/02) |
|
EWP presents Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase Raue Center For The Arts (8/07-8/07) |
|
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Raue Center For The Arts (9/25-9/25) |
|
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Catalyst Ranch (7/09-8/02) |
|
Alison Krauss And Union Station Hunter Pavilion At Ravinia (9/12-9/12) |
|
The Wizard Of Oz CIRCA 21 Dinner Playhouse (7/08-9/05) |
|
Music Theater Works Presents the Beloved Classic “West Side Story,” August 13 - 30 Music Theater Works (8/13-8/30) |
|
Rotary Rocks The Raue: James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash Raue Center For The Arts (10/24-10/24) |
|
Greenroom Improv Raue Center For The Arts (10/10-10/10) |