SWINGTIME CANTEEN Runs 12/4-20 At Diablo Actors' Ensemble

Swingtime Canteen" Holiday Style! runs December 4 - 20, 2009. "Swingtime Canteen" by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci, Charles Busch

WHO: Diablo Actors' Ensemble
WHERE: Diablo Actors' Ensemble
1345 Locust Street
Walnut Creek, CA

TICKETS: $10-25

INFO: 866-811-4111

Diablo Actors' Ensemble swings into the holidays with the high-energy musical revue "Swingtime Canteen" running December 4-20 at the company's intimate theater on Locust Street in Walnut Creek.

It's 1944 and glamorous movie legend Marian Ames is about to be put out to pasture after four flop films. But this still spunky leading lady decides to take her career in hand and heads off to London with her gal pals to entertain the troops. There's Jo Sterling (her drum playing stand-in on 17 pictures), Katie Gammersflugel (her skittish niece), Topeka Abotelli (who can pound a rivet or play the piano with the best), and Lilly McBain (the leggy chorus girl). The girls more than prove their mettle as they sing over 30 vintage songs from the war years while air raids add to the emotional fireworks and heart-warming story.

The all-star cast includes Tielle Baker, Jessica Fisher, Laurel Ryreson, Jenna Stich, and Laura Morgan singing such classics as "Don't Fence Me In," "Sentimental Journey," "I'll be Seeing You," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," and "Apple Blossom Time" as well as a fast-pacEd Andrews Sisters medley. Scott Fryer directs with Kim Vetterli, who just finished touring with Sally Struthers, as musical director.

Tickets are $10-25 and can be reserved by calling 866-811-4111 or going online to www.diabloactors.com.

Photo credit: Peter James Zielinski