AN INDIANA PREMIERE!!!
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SISTERS OF SWING, The Story of the Andrews Sisters Zionsville Performing Arts Center Conceived and Written by BETH GILLELAND and BOB BEVERAGE Based on an Idea by RON PELUSO Musical Arrangements and Continuity by RAYMOND BERG Directed by DON FARRELL* Musical Director ANN-CAROL PENCE Choreographer CYNTHIA COLLINS* Stage Manager GARY DeMUMBRUM* Lighting Designer ROSS GRAHAM Sound Designer JOSHUA D. HUTCHINSON Scenic Designer SCOTT SARGENT Costume Designer ABBY PARKER Production Manager MATT SPURLOCK Master of Properties MACLARE PARK Scenic Support by McGUIRE SCENIC, INC. Additional Lighting Provided by NAKED GECKO LIGHTING & SOUND, LLC.
THE CAST Patty Andrews...CLACI MILLER* Maxene Andrews...CYNTHIA COLLINS* LaVerne Andrews...JUDY FITZGERALD* Man...HUGH ADAMS* Vic Schoen...TERRY WOODS
THE BAND Pianist & Musical Supervisor...TERRY WOODS Trumpet...CRIS DRABYN Trombone...JOHN HUNTOON Woodwind...DAVE PAULSON Bass...ROB SOPER Percussion...GREG WOLFF
REVIEW July 8, 2006 'Sisters' revives hits of '30s, '40s
By Whitney Smith
At a time when an acerbic Brit, a relic from a seaside soap opera and a pop singer deliberate for a few seconds before rejecting most of the performers on the TV show "America's Got Talent," three Plain Janes from Minnesota probably wouldn't last long. But back in the 1930s, a talent show did help launch the Andrews Sisters, the singing siblings who kept America dancing during World War II and influenced girl groups from the Lennon Sisters to Destiny's Child. This week, Actors Theatre of Indiana opened its second season with "Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters," a tribute that showcases their hits and evolves into a bittersweet biographical musical. "Sisters," which has been around since at least 2002, provides a fun forum for nostalgic '30s and '40s hits, ranging from the upbeat "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to the lyrical, lesser-known "I Love You Much Too Much." Luckily, this production features a live, big band-style ensemble, complete with saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm section, although that's not always big enough to do the orchestrations justice. In its quest to be more substantial than a run-of-the-mill revue, "Sisters" layers on real-life details about the Andrewses, but in the bargain, certain details -- about death, divorce or financial problems -- eventually amount to too much information. This Actors Theatre cast seems tight, perhaps because the same four leads performed "Sisters" for the Georgia Ensemble Theatre in April. Hugh Adams dashes off a series of quick-changing roles, including a pipe-smoking Bing Crosby and a wild calypso character. Judy Fitzgerald, artistic director of Actors Theatre, plays oldest sister LaVerne Andrews, who died in 1967, as bossy, musically disciplined and loyal to their Greek father. As Maxene, who died in 1995, Cynthia Collins adds believability to sisterly squabbles and performs stage movement with jazzy flair. And as Patty, the youngest sister, Claci Miller contributes the standout singing voice in the cast. Through her monologues, it becomes clear that "Sisters of Swing" evolved from her memory, as the sole survivor. "It's an odd feeling," she said, "to outlive your entire family."
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