Swing, Swing, Swing! Runs at Rose Theater Through Feb. 22

The Rose Theater salutes the big band era with an exciting, original swing ballet performed by
Nebraska's only professional ballet company, The Omaha Theater Ballet. Created by award-winning
Chicago choreographer and director Harrison McEldowney, the world premiere of Swing, Swing,
Swing! opened on the main stage February 12.

Dancers of Omaha Theater Ballet will jive, jitterbug and fly to classic and contemporary swing music.

The lively, distinctive sounds of swing will be played live on stage by Omaha's own swing band, The
Doyle Music Combo, with vocals by Camille Metoyer Moten and Susie Johnson Mertz
"This is such a great opportunity for our dancers to show their youthful energy, personalities and
versatility," said Omaha Theater Ballet Artistic Director Robin Welch. "I think audiences will have a great time because this show has absolutely everything...creative choreography, the razzle-dazzle sound of a live swing band, fantastic featured singers and the athletic gusto of our versatile dancers."

Harrison McEldowney's vast experience includes the 35th tour of American Bandstand, Carnegie Hall's Celebration of 125 Years of Musical Theater and the Australian tour of Dirty Dancing. His own creativity and knowledge of musical theater, period and popular dances made him a great choice for the Omaha Theater Ballet's project.

McEldowney was inspired by the 1943 film, The Stage Door Canteen. "I wanted this production on
convey the enthusiasm, camaraderie, entertainment and budding relationships that developed at
this famous recreational center for servicemen during World War II," said McEldowney. "I also drew
inspiration for the production from the love letters recently discovered from World War II sailor Claude Dawson to his wife Nadine."

To create the correct feel of the era, the set designer Kathy Voecks incorporated the live swing band as an important design element and through projections, added some well-known 1940's images.

Mona Schlautman's fun period costumes also add one more dimension to the piece.

The Rose Theater main stage will come to life with music and dance in this Swing extravaganza. This nostalgic and energetic production explodes with camaraderie, romance and just pure fun!
Swing, Swing, Swing! will be presented February 12 through February 22 on The Rose's main stage
with performances every Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.; Saturday, February 14 and Wednesday, February 18 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, February 21 at 2 p.m. The show is recommended for children ages 6 to adult, and will run 60 minutes without intermission on Wednesday, February 18 and Thursdays, February 12 and 19. The production will run 80 minutes with intermission for all other performances.

Tickets are $16 and may be purchased at The Rose Box Office, located at 2001 Farnam Street, by
phone at (402) 345-4849 or online at www.rosetheater.org. Discount ticket vouchers are available for $13 each at all Omaha and Council Bluffs-area Hy-Vee Food Stores' customer service counters.
The Rose's 2008/2009 season is sponsored by Children's Hospital. Swing, Swing, Swing! is
sponsored by Holland Foundation, The Big O 101.9 and the Nebraska Arts Council.

 

 

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