Swing!, the Broadway musical that celebrates the music and dance phenomenon that swept the nation in the 1930s and '40s, only to return to prominence in the 21st Century, opens Friday at The Senior Center for the Arts' Nashville Dinner Theatre for a February 12-28 run.
Directed by Kate Adams-Johnson, with music direction by Ginger Newman, the show features a cast of 18, a live band, more than 30 dance numbers and vocal performances that feature some of the Swing era's greatest hits, including "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)".
Described as "an eclectic mix of Jive, Latin, West Coast and East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Collegiate Shag, it is this multi-dimensional quality of Swing! Which led critics to call the Broadway production 'the most exhilarating show in town!'" The all-singing, all-dancing revue features classic songs, as well as some new tunes written expressly for the Broadway production, encompassing comic, romantic, nostalgic and sexy musical numbers.
Director/choreographer Adams-Johnson has worked extensively in theatre and classical dance, and has spent more than 20 years performing professionally across the country with various dance and theater companies. Her choreography has been performed in over 20 states as well as in Europe and South America. Her Nashville credits include the choreography for SCA's productions of The Producers, Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors, as well award winning work on numerous other productions for Circle Players, Shalom Theater, ACT 1 and Damhsa Onorach Productions.
Newman, musical director for the production, has performed on the Queen Elizabeth II, the SS Rotterdam and the Seven Seas Mariner as a headliner with her one-woman show. In addition, she's appeared with such artists as Gene Kelley, Ben Vereen, Andrea McArdle, Steve Allen, Cab Calloway and Chita Rivera. As an actress, she has worked extensively with Tennessee Repertory Theatre and she has been a featured soloist with the Nashville Symphony. She is a teaching artist with Tennessee Performing Arts Center's ARTSMART and is an adjunct vocal teacher at Cumberland University.
Swing! has sets designed by Brad Kamer and costumes by Lynda Cameron-Bayer. Tim Larson is assistant director and the show is produced by Jane Schnelle.,
Cast members featured include Dave Williams, Ben Gregory, Macon Kimbrough, Stepanie Benton, Amy Farrell, Deborah Stoltzfus, Melissa Pardo, Terry McLemore, Tim Larson, Erin Spencer, Faith Kelm, Rawsam Answar, John Pyka, Tonya Miller, Summer Carter, Todd Jester, Lauren Atkins and Russell Green.
Tickets for the show are $25 with a $1 ticketing fee; ticket price includes a three course meal and beverage. Tickets may be purchased by calling (615) 883-8375 or by visiting www.seniorcenterarts.org or www.ticketsnashville.com.
