It was a great time in the country’s history.
World War II was over. The music was jazzy, brassy, upbeat and swing. And it was as if the whole nation was tuned in to the same sound.
The bands were big. The mood was inspiring. The future was filled with hope.
“It was a grand time … a very incredible time. That’s why people want to be there. To see that style and the boogie-woogie girls. It was a moment and these guys capture it,” said David Shaw.
Shaw is president of Artbeat, a nonprofit group that books acts across the country.
Shaw recently booked a tour of “In The Mood,” a 1940s musical revue. That tour kicks off Saturday at the Everett Civic Auditorium.
The production includes the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the 16-piece “String of Pearls” big band orchestra with arrangements, costumes and choreography that will bring the audience back to that time when it seemed the nation was homogeneous in its musical tastes.
“What’s interesting about this music is that it evokes very, very powerful feelings,” Shaw said. “It evokes a very powerful kind of excitement.”
Shaw mentioned that he got a note from one World War II veteran who said that at age 94, he still remembers all the songs of that time and is so excited about seeing and hearing “In The Mood,” he’s counting the minutes until the Everett performance.
The show has two acts and covers all the great hits from the big band era such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “In the Mood,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “Sentimental Journey” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”
The show is more than just song and dance. It’s done in the revue style where there is a theme woven throughout the performance, Shaw said.
Bud Forrest Entertainment began touring “In the Mood” in 1994 after a performance on the steps of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The show went on to become part of the official entertainment for the World USO’s 50th commemoration of WWII events and was performed for the Clinton presidential inaugural ball, Shaw said.
The strong resurgence in swing music has also helped make this a popular show. But for those who don’t know about swing or big band, watching “In the Mood” is the closest you may get to being part of what Shaw called the “grand generation.”
“This is another opportunity to develop your knowledge and taste of swing dancing and big band music,” Shaw said. “This is the real thing.”
Arts writer Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
Big band music, singers and dancers perform in the “In the Mood” revue.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
