SWINGING ON A STAR to Open Riverside Theatre's 2015-16 Season

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, begins its 2015-2016 season with Swinging on a Star, the musical revue of the songs by Academy Award-winning lyricist, Johnny Burke. Created by Michael Leeds, Swinging on a Star is set at several venues throughout various decades and showcases the talent of Mr. Burke. Swinging on a Star performs on the Stark Stage from October 27 - November 15, 2015 and is sponsored by John and Marilyn McConnell and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.

Swinging on a Star is the toe-tapping, finger-snapping celebration of the music of Johnny Burke, one of America's most prolific and successful songwriters of the early twentieth century. From a smoky 1920's Speakeasy to the Bowery of the 1930's, from a World War II USO performance to a 1950's Manhattan supper club, Swinging on a Star perfectly weaves various settings and scenes with some of most popular songs of a generation. The journey also showcases music from the "Road Movies" starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

Songs included in the musical are: "Pennies from Heaven," "Imagination," "Misty," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Road to Morocco," "Going My Way," "Moonlight Becomes You," "Swinging on a Star," and many more.

Born in California in 1908, Johnny Burke grew up in Chicago. By 1926 he worked for the Irving Berlin Publishing Co. as a pianist and song salesman while also playing piano in dance bands and vaudeville. His first big hit, "Annie Doesn't Live Here Any More" written with Harold Spina, was performed by the Guy Lombardo Orchestra in 1933.

He moved to Hollywood in 1936 and was signed by Paramount Pictures where he served as lyricist for a variety of films, many starring Bing Crosby. Of the 41 films Burke worked on in his career, 25 were with Crosby. In 1944, he and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote "Swinging on a Star" for the film Going My Way. The song was conceived one night during filming while Burke was having dinner at Bing Crosby's house. One of the Crosby children complained that he didn't want to go to school the next day, when Bing replied, "If you don't go to school, you might grow up to be a mule." Thinking the quote sounded like a good idea for a song, he and Van Heusen went to work to fit it into the movie. Going My Way won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Song for "Swinging on a Star."

Written by Michael Leeds, who currently serves as Associate Artistic Director of Island City Stage in Ft. Lauderdale, Swinging on a Star opened at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway in 1995 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical.

Directed and choreographed by DJ Salisbury, the Swinging on a Star cast features Sara Andreas, Denis Lambert, Mary Little, Ryan Murray, Brian Ogilvie, Jennifer Swiderski and Debra Walton.

The design and production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Director), Allen D. Cornell (Scenic Designer), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Designer), Martha Bromelmeier (Costume Design), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), and Amy Bertacini (Production Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York City by Wojcik / Seay Casting.

Swinging on a Star performs October 27 - November 15, 2015 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

Performance Schedule:

October 27, 30, 31, November 6, 7, 13 & 14@ 8pm

October 28, 31, November 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14 & 15@ 2pm

October 28, 29, November 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12 @ 7:30pm