IN THE MOOD Comes to Omaha, April 20

To the delight of Hepcats, Lindy Hoppers and lovers of Swing Jazz, the brassy, all-singing, all- dancing, all-American 1940s musical revue, In The Mood is coming to Omaha in celebration of 20+ years of touring.

Hop aboard the "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and you'll soon be "In the Mood" to hear some great musicians "Sing, Sing, Sing." Much more than just a concert, In the Mood is a fully staged tribute to Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and the big band greats of the '40s. Complete with authentic costumes and choreography, In The Mood pays homage to America's greatest generation, when people listened and boogied to up-tempo big band rhythms and danced to intimate ballads. Experience the swing, the rhythm and the jazzy, brassy, patriotic, sentimental music of this pivotal time in America's history.

In The Mood has a cast of nineteen on stage with the hypnotic String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra plus the six-member In the Mood Singers & Dancers with sizzling choreography, sassy costumes and over forty unforgettable hits - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B), Tuxedo Junction, Well Get It, Lili Marlene, On The Sunny Side of the Street and many more.

Now in its 21st season of sold-out performances across the United States, Canada and England, IN THE MOOD wowed Australia and New Zealand with a 16-city tour during August and September of 2011.

IN THE MOOD takes a look at the life and times of America's Swing Era when everyone listened and danced to the same style of music. Swing music ranged from mellow intimate ballads to up-tempo big band rhythms, where the waltz and fox trot competed with the wild, acrobatic jitterbug and jive, and when boogie-woogie crazed hepcats crowded the dance floors.

Swing Music inspired America with a vision for the future filled with hope, promise and prosperity. The music moved the Nation's spirit and helped to sustain the nation's morale during World War II, the pivotal event of the 1940s. IN THE MOOD recreates the rhythmic, jazzy, brassy, sentimental, romantic and patriotic music of this important time.

Creator and producer Bud Forrest is a Juilliard trained pianist and conductor who served as accompanist for the Air Force chorus The Singing Sergeants. He compiled the greatest music from the swing era into a review that tells the story of the WWII years in a moving tribute to those who fought the war.

IN THE MOOD captures the feel of the 1940s in part because of the involvement of the late Vic Schoen as the show's primary arranger. Mr. Schoen created the musical arrangements for the entire career of the legendary Andrews Sisters. He was one of the seminal creators of the swing-era sound which he imbued into IN THE MOOD.

The National Archives in Washington, DC brought IN THE MOOD to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWII, and the response was extraordinary, with crowds lining up for hours before curtain time. Thousands attended an out-of-doors performance on Constitution Avenue, and many stayed to dance the night away. As a result, IN THE MOOD, in affiliation with the USO, began a series of tours which played to audiences across the United States during the 50th Commemoration of WWII.

The band and singers were selected to be part of the entertainment for the 53rd Presidential Inauguration Ball. IN THE MOOD was the National Touring Event for the celebration Spirit of '45, a national project that recognizes the people who fought WWII and their legacy of a rebuilt Europe and Japan and The United Nations, and salutes those who laid the foundation for America's peace and prosperity.

IN THE MOOD is constantly being revamped and updated. While there are a number of permanent Swing- Era songs in the show, many are rotated out and replaced with selections from the huge body of Swing- Era music. Bud Forrest greets the audience after every performance and is constantly taking suggestions from patrons of songs they'd like to hear in the show. Likewise, Mr. Forrest recently engaged stage director and noted Broadway choreographer Alex Sanchez to re-choreograph the show's jitterbug dances and production numbers. Thus, IN THE MOOD maintains a fresh, dynamic, ever-changing perspective on the culture of the Swing Era. Patrons who have seen the show two or three times are never disappointed as the production constantly evolves.

This performance of IN THE MOOD is presented by Artbeat, Inc. a not-for-profit arts presenter. Visit the producer's website: www.inthemoodlive.com for information on all performances being presented in the near future. See video clip and more at www.artbeatshows.org.

DETAILS:

In The Mood
A 1940s Big Band Music Revue
Orpheum Theater, 409 South 16th Street, Omaha NE 68102
Monday, April 20, 2015
Box Office: 1200 Douglas Street, Omaha; Phone: 402 345 0606; Online: www.ticketomaha.org.
Groups of ten or more save $10 per ticket. Contact the box office: 402 661 8516.
For more information, visit www.omahaperformingarts.org.

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