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Some years ago, a new radio station hit the New York scene, its format based entirely on great American standards. Featuring songs of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s and programs reminiscent of "The Milkman’s Matinee" and "The Make-Believe Ballroom," the show hosts played the music of Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Helen Forrest, as well as newcomers Michael Feinstein, Karen Akers and Ann Hampton Callaway.
Once a year, the station had a live broadcast at the Museum of Television & Radio on W. 52nd St., and singers and musicians whose works were played on that station performed. As a museum member, I could attend these concerts and that’s when I first saw Callaway in person. She blew me away. Callaway is beautiful and talented, a pianist, songwriter and jazz stylist of the highest order. I became an instant fan, and when I learned she was to make her Broadway debut in the new musical, "Swing!," I made plans to see it immediately.
And that’s before I learned that "Swing!" would be the dance sensation of the year, maybe the century, well-deserving of the exclamation point at the end of its title. Directed and choreographed by the fabulously inventive Lynne Taylor-Corbett, "Swing!" is an all-singing, all dancing musical celebration that features world-class swing dancers, a hot contemporary swing band and acclaimed jazz/pop singers, all cutting loose to a mix of new and classic swing songs.
"Swing!" offers 30 variations of the lindy and the jitterbug in West Coast, Country & Western, Latin and Traditional Swing Dancing styles. The sound that drives all this movement comes from The Gotham City Gates, a new swing band made up of former members of the Blues Jumpers, Illinois Jacquet, and Lionel Hampton Band!
In addition to original songs (several of which were written by cast members, including Callaway), "Swing!" features the best of the classics, including "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing," "Stompin’ at the Savoy," "Jumpin’ at the Woodside," "Blues in the Night," and Benny Goodman’s "Sing, Sing, Sing!"
Lots of exclamation points here, I know, but this show is one big exclamation point. For two hours, it never slows. And it never fails to enthrall and delight. The talent on this stage is formidable. In addition to Callaway (who is not a dancer), there’s a newcomer, 20 year old Laura Benanti who moves and sings as if this music was once mixed in her baby formula.
The brilliant ensemble cast, dressed in William Ivey Long’s exquisite costumes, boasts winners of the U.S. Open Swing and Country Dance World Championships, but you must especially watch for Beverly Durand, a little bit of a thing with a pixie hairdo – her dance movements are extraordinary; there aren’t enough superlatives to do her justice. In fact, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe this show. It’s a winner for the whole family.
