SISTERS OF SWING Set for Stage Door Theatre, Now thru 7/12

They sold over 75 million records, nine of them gold. They had more Top Ten hits than the Beatles or Elvis. Until the advent of The Supremes, The Andrews Sisters - Patty, Maxene, and Laverne - were the most imitated of all female singing groups; they are still one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time. Sisters of Swing, which will run from tonight, June 5th through July 12th at the Stage Door Theatre, details the fascinating journey of these three sisters from their early days in vaudeville through their success in 'the big time'.

Sisters of Swing follows Patty, Maxene, and Laverne through their sometimes stormy personal relationships, their career, as well as several entertaining interactions with other celebrities of their era, including Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. The show's musical numbers include "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree", "Three Little Fishies", "Beer Barrel Polka", Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive", and of course, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".

The Andrews Sisters' songbook is extensive, many of their songs instantly recognizable even almost 80 years after their first big 'hit' "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" was released in 1937. Their music continues to influence major artists - Bette Midler and Christina Aguilera are two modern day singers who have channeled The Andrews Sisters at various points in their careers. Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow, Mel Tormé, The Pointer Sisters, The McGuire Sisters, and The Manhattan Transfer are among the many others who have been inspired by the sisters' close harmonies, rhythms, and perfectly pitched tones.

"My father was in the air force in World War II," explains the shows director, Dan Kelley. "He spent time in a German POW camp, so this era and these songs were very much a part of my early years - sitting around the record player and listening to my father's stories and the Andrews Sisters," he continues. "In fact, I think my Father had a little crush on Maxene! So this show really resonates with me."

Kelley has cast Malia Nicolini as Laverne and Molly Anne Ross as Patty. Both actresses are newcomers to Stage Door Theatre. Sara Ashley Teate, who was in last year's Stage Door hit What's New Pussycat will play Maxene. Brad Rakushin, recently seen in the theatre's production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, rounds out the cast.

Musical direction (and piano) is by Michael Larsen, with Julie Jacbos on drums and Martha Spangler on bass. Set design is by Sean McClelland, and lighting design by Ardean Landhuis.

Sisters of Swing will run from June 5 - July 12 at The Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065.

Tickets for Sisters of Swing are $38 - $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com.

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