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SWINGIN' ON A STAR

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(THE JOHNNY BURKE MUSICAL)

A musical revue in 2 acts, 7 scenes; Book by Michael Leeds, based on the songs of Johnny Burke. Lyrics by Johnny Burke. Music by Johnny Burke, Erroll Garner, Robert Haggart, Arthur Johnston, James Monaco, Harold Spina and Jimmy Van Heusen. Written and directed by Michael Leeds. Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall.

Music Box Theatre October 22, 1995 - (97 perfs)

Synopsis

The fabulous songs of Johnny Burke are here perfectly woven into various settings and scenes as if they always belonged there. We move from a smoky 1920s Chicago Speakeasy, where we hear such songs as "Dr. Rhythm" and "What's New" to the Bowery for the classic "Pennies From Heaven and others. The ever popular "Your Hit Parade" takes us into the 1930s, segueing into a World War II USO show for several songs including "Personality" and culminating with the Academy Award Winning "Swinging on a Star." The journey continues to a glittering ballroom for the immortal "Imagination" and then takes us into the world of Paramount's Hope/Crosby/Lamour Road Movies and the songs they made famous. The evening ends in the Starlight Supperclub, high atop Manhattan, with a celebration of Burkes genius.

Cast: 3 men, 4 women

Scenes and settings

Act 1

Scene 1: Speakeasy, Chicago
Scene 2: Depression, the Bowary
Scene 3: Radio Show, New York City
Scene 4: USO Show, the Pacific Islands

Act 2

Scene 1: Ballroom, Hotel Roosevelt, Akron, Ohio
Scene 2: Road to Paramount Studios, Hollywood
Scene 3: Supper Club, the Present

Musical Numbers:

ACT 1 Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3


Scene 4


ACT 2 Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Instrumentation:

Piano/Conductor, Synthesizer, Bass, Saxophone, Trumpet, Drums/Percussion