IN THE MOOD Revue to Play PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre,

By: Sep. 25, 2013
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To the delight of Hepcats, Lindy Hoppers and lovers of Swing Jazz, the brassy, all singing-all dancing-all-American 1940s musical revue, IN THE MOOD, is coming to Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre in celebration of its 20th season. Tickets for the two performances on Friday, Nov. 1 (2:30 and 7:30 pm) are now on sale, priced at $59.50, $49.50, $39.50 at playhousesquare.org, 216-241-6000 or The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office.(Groups: 8 or more: $5-off; 16 or more: $10 off per ticket. For Group purchases call the Box Office at 216 640 8600. )

More than a concert, IN THE MOOD recreates defining moments of the 1940s with the hypnotic String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, IN THE MOOD Singers & Swing Dancers from New York, sizzling choreography (from Alex Sanchez - a veteran of 10 Broadway musicals), sassy costumes and an authentic score of over 50 unforgettable hits -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 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 are as authentic as it gets.

IN THE MOOD takes a look at America's Swing Era, the last time when everyone listened and danced to the same style of music. 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 dominated 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 recreates the rhythmic, jazzy, brassy, sentimental, romantic and patriotic music of this important time.

Creator and producer Bud Forrest is a Juilliard trained pianist and conductor who served as accompanist for the 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 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 was one of the seminal creators of the swing-era sound which he imbued into IN THE MOOD.

The National Archives in Washington, DC brought IN THE MOOD to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWII, and the response was extraordinary, with crowds lining up for hours before curtain time. Thousands attended an out-of-doors performance on Constitution Avenue, and many stayed 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 to be part of the entertainment for the 53rd Presidential Inauguration Ball. 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.

IN THE MOOD is constantly being revamped and updated. While there are a number of permanent Swing-Era songs in the show, many are rotated out and replaced with selections from the huge body of Swing-Era music. Bud Forrest greets the audience after every performance and is constantly taking suggestions from patrons of songs they'd like to hear in the show. Likewise, Mr. Forrest recently engaged stage director and noted Broadway choreographer Alex Sanchez to set the show's jitterbug dances and production numbers. Thus, IN THE MOOD maintains a fresh, dynamic, ever-changing perspective on the culture of the Swing Era. Patrons who have seen the show two or three times are never disappointed as the production constantly evolves.

To get a vivid idea about what IN THE MOOD is about, view our YouTube preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gIRlWBza4A



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