Published: July 17, 2008 12:00 am            

'Swing!' an energetic chronicle of social change through music

By Johnnie-Margaret McConnell

pop writer



I'm glad I decided to stay for the second act of Lyric Theatre's production of "Swing!" The forty-five minute energetic act was funny and full of nonstop dancing.

"Swing!" is not a musical per se, but rather a tribute to American music and dancing. The plot is in the steps. OU's Vince Leseney opened the show with 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' and closed it with his fellow singers two hours later. The 1999 show moved through the music and developing dancing steps of 20th-century America.

Act I didn't jive. I'm not sure if a case of opening night jitters took hold Tuesday night (July 8), or if it was merely a failure to connect with the audience.

"Harlem Nocturne" was the highlight of Act I. Recent OU graduate Cassie Chesnutt, most of us think of her as Ms. Long Legs, danced with an upright bass. Hidden behind the bass' trunk, all one saw was Leseney standing and playing the bass with a strange extra set of hands attached to some very long arms. Slowly Chesnutt emerged to dance the prepositions away with Leseney and the bass, playing the song's final note with a strum of her finger.

Act II stood in stark contrast to Act I. Con O'Shea-Creal and Melissa Steadman show director Lyn Cramer's tap mastery in the open number of the second act. The two sail across the stage with ease across leaving O'Shea-Creal center stage to bring down the house in the end.

Glenn Giron and Lauren Linville stole the show with their portrayal of two "Peanuts"-like characters in "Dancers in Love." Just like Lucy, the dark-haired Linville orders Giron about the stage in their matching bright blue and stark white costumes. His many attempts to run off stage were quickly thwarted by the dancing crazed Linville. Act II was full of such lively numbers, including one set in the air thanks to aerial choreographer Daniel Stover.

Lyric veterans Vince Leseney, Mandy Jiran and Barb Schoenhofer joined Broadway actor Christopher L. Morgan to provide the vocal soundtrack throughout the show as dancers Barry Busby, Joshua Buscher, Cassie Chesnutt, Brooke Gebb, Glenn Giron, Sasha Hutchings, Lauren Linville, Con O'Shea-Creal, Alfie Parker Jr., Lanae Rhodes, Melissa Steadman, Alex Michael Stoll, Addie Tomlinson, Richard Riaz Yoder and professional award-winning ballroom dancers David Hyer and Shelby Rothell swung away the night.

"Swing!" is full of old musical favorites from "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "In The Mood," to "Stompin' At The Savoy." "Swing!" is more than music and steps, it is a documentary of music's power to bring people together. American swing helped break down racial and ethnic barriers of the early 20th century America. "Swing!" is yet another testament to society's need for the arts.

"Swing!" ended its run July 12 at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. For information or reservations for other Lyric shows, call 524-9312 or visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com. The 2008 season continues with productions of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" Tuesday-July 26 and "Urinetown: the Musical" Aug. 5-9.

        

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