A madcap musical salute to the swinging ’40s created by Roger Bean (The Marvelous Wondrettes, Life Could Be A Dream). A USO show is threatened with cancellation when a certain famous trio of singing sisters fails to show up, and it’s up to three earnest and determined stagehands to go on with the show. Mistaken identities, zany adventures, a bit of cross-dressing and the music of an entire generation highlight this valentine to the heroes of World War II. Featuring over 25 songs made famous by the Andrews Sisters, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Slow Boat to China,” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.” Feb. 21 through March 8, Thursdays, Fridays and, Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For tickets and info call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
The Andrews Brothers
Reviews
In the spirit of what were surely amateur shows at the time, things that can go wrong do go wrong, props and scenery get misplaced or disappear, set pieces get stuck backstage, music is often played off-key, but nothing stops the dedicated and talented cast from presenting the best show possible to their audience of appreciative GIs, in this case, the audience itself. I especially enjoyed when two audience members were pulled onstage by cast members and asked to participate in several numbers, which generated very appreciative responses and laughter from the audience.
Jamie Torcellini deftly directs the comic mayhem that ensues. The male trio easily match the tight harmonies of the original sister act and it is a lovely stroll down a musical memory lane...Kelley Dorney proves to be a true triple threat and stellar leading lady material.
The Andrews Brothers is a genius decision by International City Theatre’s creative minds to bring to Long Beach. If I had to imagine a show that would appeal both to the city’s deep LGBTQ audience as well as even the most conservative of senior citizens, I’d have been stumped—until now.
The musical seems to line itself up with this mission. High art it is not, a good time it is. Sweet and silly and totally improbable and lovingly executed by folks who take the harmonies seriously and the rest of it with a 5-pound bag of salt. The small ensemble of four — Michael D'Elia, Max DeLoach, Kelly Dorney and Grant Hodges — are just so bright and shiny you can't help but enjoy the ride.
Joyfully directed and cleverly choreographed by Jamie Torcellni, with period perfect musical direction of a four piece band by Brent Crayon, The Andrew Brothers ultimately depends on the prowess and charm of the four-member cast. No performer disappoints here. Michael D’Elia, Grant Hodges, and Max DeLoach, as Lawrence, Max, and Patrick, respectively, combine energy and vulnerability in creating their winning characterizations. When they team up on tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and the hilarious "Hula Ba Luau" number, the entertainment becomes effervescent.
International City Theatre had a hit last year with Roger Bean jukebox musical, Life Could Be a Dream, so why not have another go, this time with The Andrews Brothers, that showcases the tight harmonies of The Andrews Sisters—Patty, Laverne and Maxine—their snappy, close harmonies still bringing joy to the listener. This music is iconic, and the trio kept at it for decades, despite the internal rancor that eventually developed. But let that pass, the music speaks for itself.
The ideal show for anyone born pre-1950 and performed by a quartet of uber-talented millennials, The Andrews Brothers adds up to a trip down memory lane nostalgia fans might want to take.
In the spirit of what were surely amateur shows at the time, things that can go wrong do go wrong, props and scenery get misplaced or disappear, set pieces get stuck backstage, music is often played off-key, but nothing stops the dedicated and talented cast from presenting the best show possible to their audience of appreciative GIs, in this case, the audience itself. I especially enjoyed when two audience members were pulled onstage by cast members and asked to participate in several numbers, which generated very appreciative responses and laughter from the audience.
Jamie Torcellini deftly directs the comic mayhem that ensues. The male trio easily match the tight harmonies of the original sister act and it is a lovely stroll down a musical memory lane...Kelley Dorney proves to be a true triple threat and stellar leading lady material.
The Andrews Brothers is a genius decision by International City Theatre’s creative minds to bring to Long Beach. If I had to imagine a show that would appeal both to the city’s deep LGBTQ audience as well as even the most conservative of senior citizens, I’d have been stumped—until now.
The musical seems to line itself up with this mission. High art it is not, a good time it is. Sweet and silly and totally improbable and lovingly executed by folks who take the harmonies seriously and the rest of it with a 5-pound bag of salt. The small ensemble of four — Michael D'Elia, Max DeLoach, Kelly Dorney and Grant Hodges — are just so bright and shiny you can't help but enjoy the ride.
Joyfully directed and cleverly choreographed by Jamie Torcellni, with period perfect musical direction of a four piece band by Brent Crayon, The Andrew Brothers ultimately depends on the prowess and charm of the four-member cast. No performer disappoints here. Michael D’Elia, Grant Hodges, and Max DeLoach, as Lawrence, Max, and Patrick, respectively, combine energy and vulnerability in creating their winning characterizations. When they team up on tunes such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and the hilarious "Hula Ba Luau" number, the entertainment becomes effervescent.
International City Theatre had a hit last year with Roger Bean jukebox musical, Life Could Be a Dream, so why not have another go, this time with The Andrews Brothers, that showcases the tight harmonies of The Andrews Sisters—Patty, Laverne and Maxine—their snappy, close harmonies still bringing joy to the listener. This music is iconic, and the trio kept at it for decades, despite the internal rancor that eventually developed. But let that pass, the music speaks for itself.
The ideal show for anyone born pre-1950 and performed by a quartet of uber-talented millennials, The Andrews Brothers adds up to a trip down memory lane nostalgia fans might want to take.