Fund-Raising Fun
By Liz Smith, New York Newsday
December 14, 1999
STOMPING AT the St. James
Theater eight times a week is a delightfully raucous, funny, frisky and often seductive
new musical extravaganza, "Swing!" starring Ann Hampton Callaway, Everett
Bradleyand Laura Benanti. The music, played by Casey MacGill and the Gotham City Gates, is
mostly that of icons of the '40s and '50s-Benny Goodman,Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Hoagy
Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, etc. And the company's dancing and energy is just about the
best ever. What a choreographer is Lynne Taylor-Corbett. And what an extraordinary
standout cast. Super special is Benanti-sexy, funny in glorious voice. Just think: Kids
starting college this fall were born in 1980. The expression "you sound like a broken
record" means nothing to them. I still have all my original "78" vinyls!
But whatever your age,"Swing!" will put a smile on your face and a tap in your
toe.
