Sierra Repertory Theatre’s “Sisters of Swing” a Production Hit By Wayne Kirkbride
Take three talented sisters of Greek and Norwegian descent raised in Minnesota and add in a few vaudeville and band appearances and you have the genesis for the most successful girl singing trio of all time.
SRT has condensed the essence of the girls’ rise to fame from the girls early teens to recording stars to appearances in several movies. The tribute to the Andrews sisters concludes shortly after the end of World War II.
The personal side of their lives is briefly shown, downplaying the real life disagreements, separations, divorces, and reconciliations that took place over the decades the sisters sang together. It is their golden age of stardom and fan adulation that the audience is treated to. Their music, timeless classics, still resonate with those who remember the trio when they toured and the generations today that have rediscovered their music, especially Swing.
Carrie Madsen plays the oldest sister, La Verne, the sister who anchors the trio with more maturity. Madsen showcases a talented voice, blending with the other two harmoniously.
The second oldest sister, Maxine, is played by Jill Anderson and is given a little more acting variety in the scenes where she has fallen in love with their manager, Lou Levy and defends herself with La Verne who disapproves. Aside from those little glimpses of her personal life, Anderson as Maxine fills the singing role very pleasantly.
Julie Ludlum plays Patty Andrews and although the other two “sisters” can hold their own in singing up a storm, Ludlum becomes electricity to watch. From her flawless singing voice, intonations, and high-powered energy, Ludlum owns the role. All three captivated the audience, but Ludlum’s talent was the standout performance of the group.
Behind the sisters, piano player Nolan Bonvouloir (as Vic Schoen) provided the music. On stage throughout the play, he kept the music going, playing accompaniment for the trio.
Playing several roles, Jonn Jorgensen entertained the audience with his role as the girls’ manager, a stint as a German Frauline in a beer garden number, and as Carmen Miranda, replete with the fruit headpiece and Latin outfits that she was famous for. Jorgensen mingled with audience members, inviting their participation that brought laughter from the audience with his “in drag” impersonations. In a surprisingly close impersonation, Jorgensen played Bing Crosby singing a number with the sisters.
The stage setting had a theatre marquee overhead in neon lights that advertised the “Sisters of Swing” with a movie poster of one of their movies, “Buck Private” on the side stage. The stage became the various places and times the sisters toured. Patty Andrews was the narrator who briefly described and explained their careers and destinations with a little personal information thrown in about the lives of the three and their relationship with one another over the years.
It is the magic of the timeless classics that the Andrews Sisters sang that is the star of the show. From “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom time”, “Rum and Coca Cola”, and many more, these tunes were brought to life by the three talented singers. With costume design by Tracy Ward, the audience could relive the thirties and forties with outfits only seen in old movies. Scott Viets is to be credited for providing the Sisters the choreography in keeping with the stage presence and dance moves stylistically re-created from that era.
Whether one is old enough to remember the Andrews Sisters in their hey-day, or for those who have an appreciation for the music of the thirties and forties, especially Swing music and ballads that speak to romantic times, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
SCORE: 3 ½ out of four stars
Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters will be playing at Sierra Repertory Theatre through June 28. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7 p.m., Saturday evening shows begin at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22-$28 with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, visit www.sierrarep.org.
