OVER 300 PERFORMANCES OFF BROADWAY It's London, 1944. Join MGM star Marian Ames and her all-girl band from the Hollywood Canteen for the rip-roaringest canteen show of them all. After 17 years with MGM, still-glamorous movie legend Marian Ames has endured four flop films in a row and is being put out to pasture. But this is 1944 and no time for self pity. So Marian has gathered up her instrument playing gal pals from the Hollywood Canteen and headed for London to entertain the troops. Joining her are Jo Sterling, (her drum playing stand-in on 17 pictures), her skittish niece Katie Gammersflugel, solid as a rock piano playing riveter Topeka Abotelli and leggy chorine Lilly McBain. Get ready for a memorable night as these five archetypal film characters from the 1940's prove their mettle while they sing over 30 vintage classics from the war years. Laughs, tears, emotional fireworks, air raids and a celebration of women during the war punctuate this hilarious and heart warming story. Songs include: "Don't Fence Me In," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Sing Sing Sing," "How High the Moon," "I Don't Want to Walk without You," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "Sentimental Journey," "Apple Blossom Time", a fast paced, 12-song Andrews Sisters medley and many more.
"An exuberant excursion back to the days of World War II! War may be hell, but at
Swingtime Canteen it's still a lot of fun." -
The New York Times"What a pleasure! A funny parody of backstage Hollywood musicals." -
The New York Times "
Swingtime Canteen is an evocative balancing act of music and comedy, parody and sentiment. They make the good war sound great... [There's an] Andrew's Sisters medley that's a wowser. And they escalate into feeling with "I'll Be Seeing You." This gorgeous rendition works as a reminder of what the boys were fighting for, and what any struggle - war in the '40s, AIDS in the '90s - means to the combatants: pain and loss, and a sweet, frail hope." -
TIME Magazine "A harmonious symphony of movement and song!" -
Flat Rock Times-News, North Carolina "Delightful! High energy! A musical rich in texture and dimension! -
Asheville Citizen-Times, North Carolina"Delightful! Hospitality is first-rate at the Swingtime Canteen. A nice bit of nostalgia that returns the audience to the innocence and charm of a long-gone era." -
The Buffalo News, Lewiston, New York "Here’s the test of a truly great musical: Does it make you laugh as hard as it makes you cry? The answer in the case of Swingtime Canteen is a resounding yes. A swinging good time! A beguiling and funny show!" -
The Connecticut Post"You'll love it! The chin-up spirit, the great old songs. A rendition of "I'll Be Seeing You" that could tear your heart out, and a "Sing, Sing, Sing" that has the place jumping." -
The New York Times "A must see! A must enjoy! -
The New York Post "Irresistible!
Swingtime Canteen is a terrific night out!" - Liz Smith"Extraordinary! I haven't laughed so hard in my life. Go see it! - Robin Leach"It's the best time I've had in years!" - WRIV Radio "High Octane! Rip Roaring! Smoothly Polished!" -
New York Newsday"A musical frolic with true camp flavor!" - Gannett Newspapers
"You'll like it enormously! I enjoyed every minute of it." -
The Sunday Telegraph, London "An irresistible nostalgia-fest!"-
Time Out London"
Swingtime Canteenis the jumpingest, jolliest canteen show of them all!" -
What's On, London"
Swingtime Canteenis a breezy delight. A sentimental journey with a sassy attitude." -
Sarasota Herald-Tribune"
Swingtime Canteenoffers plenty of musical magic and a healthy dose of laughs. Loaded with music from some of America's most gifted writers, it succeeds in evoking the sweet innocence of a bygone era." -
Courier Journal, Louisville, KY "
Swingtime Canteenthrills the ear, delights the eye, warms the heart and tickles the funny bone in uncommon measure. High energy and solidly inventive, it is the biggest musical rouser to hit Richmond since
A Closer Walk with Patsy Clineand a worthy follow-up to
The All-Night Strut, Beehive,and
Forever Plaidon that short Richmond list of musicals that truly revive the spirit of an era." -
Richmond-Times Dispatch"For lovers of the music of the 40's, shout for joy! Your day has come.
Swingtime Canteenwas made for lovers." -
Petersburg Progress-Index."
Swingtime Canteenwows them at the Tropicana! The eagerly awaited Off Broadway hit is scoring a solid triumph! It's bringing in the nostalgia buffs, Baby Boomers, and even a healthy mix of Generation X-ers for a taste of our nation's last age of innocence. The show is tight and fast-moving,the gals are delights one and all, and it's always a treat to stroll down memory lane in such good company." -
Staten Island Advance"
Swingtime Canteenis a swingin' time! A classy way to keep alive songs that hit the nostalgic notes!"
Atlantic City Press
