jukebox musical! RECOMMENDED!"
—Los Angeles Times
(L-R): David Engel, Larry Raben, Darcie Roberts and Stan Chandler in "The Andrews Brothers" Finale
—Los Angeles Times
"The perfect musical –
highly entertaining!"
—Stage Scene LA
"A joyful bundle of WWII musical memories.
A glowing, warmhearted tribute!"
—Event News/Buena Park Independent
All songs Used By Permission.
All Rights Reserved.
www.squigsink.com
Never underestimate the power of drag!"
—Los Angeles Times
BACKSTAGE WEST ***CRITIC’S PICK***
Reviewed by Les Spindle
Roger Bean is a master at creating high-spirited jukebox musicals (The Marvelous Wonderettes). Now in its West Coast premiere is Bean’s gleeful salute to the USO shows that entertained our overseas troops during World War II. Adding to the appeal is the reunion of three gifted actor-singers (David Engel, Stan Chandler, and Larry Raben) from the original production of Stuart Ross’ Forever Plaid, the granddaddy of jukebox musicals. Stir in a pinup-girl performer (played to perfection by sweet-voiced Darcie Roberts) clearly modeled on Betty Grable, and the stage is set for stellar entertainment. Under Nick DeGruccio’s direction, the potential for fun is realized at every turn.
What sets this apart from most jukebox tuners is the seamless way Bean integrates evergreen 1940s tunes into a clever story line. The slapstick antics of the consummate cast elevate the piece beyond a nostalgic songfest. With its charming characters and wonderful sense of time and place enhanced by an inspired production design, this feels like a loving re-creation of those wonderful B-movie musicals of the 1940s, driven by scintillating musical sequences and infectious broad humor. The zany plot is vintage I Love Lucy, with a touch of Some Like It Hot. Three men who were rejected from military enlistment due to minor health ailments have been serving as stagehands on USO tours, yet each yearns to be on stage. During a gig at a South Pacific Army base, the trio finagles its way into a guest spot in a revue, starring the Andrews Sisters, featuring supporting songstress Peggy Jones (Roberts). When the sisters cancel their appearance, our trusty three don wigs, makeup, and high heels to carry on in show-must-go-on fashion.
As the basket-case neurotic Patrick, aka Patty, Raben offers a tour de force explosion of hilarity. In drag or out, this performer knows his way around a laugh line and a physical comedy bit. Roberts’ sexy and saucy performance feels like a career breakthrough; she’s a delectable cross between classy Mitzi Gaynor and goofy Martha Raye. Engels as Max, aka Maxine, is likewise a first-rate farceur. The uproarious Chandler as the nearsighted Lawrence is Mister Magoo by way of Laverne Andrews.
Roger Castellano’s chorography is terrific, at its best in the showstopping “Plain Jane Doe” tap quartet, and John Glaudini’s buoyant music direction seals the deal. This Musical Theatre West production is unadulterated MUSICAL COMEDY BLISS.
Presented by Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Thu.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Apr. 19-May 4. (562) 856-1999, ext. 4. www.musical.org.
Do you still remember those great songs from the 1940s like “Hold Tight”, “On a Slow Boat to China”, and “Rum and Coca Cola”? Do you remember the USO shows of World War II? If there is still a nostalgic thirst running through your veins for that time in history, then truck on down to Musical Theatre West’s production of The Andrews Brothers and grab some tickets before they’re all sold out. It is an evening full of that great period music that lovingly pays tribute to those USO shows of World War II.
This show you will have you jumpin’ and jivin’ on home to dust off your 78s of songs from this era, remembering the days when you drank rum and coca cola, and reminisce about sitting under that apple tree. It’s a show that ac-cent-tchu-ates the positive and eliminates the negative. So relax, hold tight, and let this cast take you not to China on a slow boat, but back in time to a USO show.
It’s a fun-filled two and a half hours you won’t regret spending in the theatre.
–Leisure World Magazine
Right: Darcie Roberts as Peggy Jones,
"I'm Doin' It For Defense
From pantos to Python, men have donned women's garb for laughs.
If you are not averse to lighter-than-air entertainment,
you are likely to have plenty of fun."
—Los Angeles Times
"Over Here! was an original Broadway musical from 1974-75 that featured a rare onstage appearance by singer Patty Andrews and showed the face of the American homefront during World War II. It had a serious tone, as well as comic, with original Sherman Brothers songs in the style of the Big Band sound of the ‘40s. Many revues have brought back the music of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the latest and most successful being The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean. But those glorious ‘40s sounds have somehow managed to elude revues. Now the talented Bean presents The Andrews Brothers, playing at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach until May 4 only, and what a sensational little show! It may be smaller in scope than Over Here!, but a monumental force of ‘40s showmanship."
–Grigware Talks Theatre