By Unsie Zuege

Wow!

The hottest live music and dance scene in the Twin Cities is on the Main Stage at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Its current musical revue “Swing” transforms the dinner theatre into a jazzy, swinging nightclub with fantastic Swing-era songs and scatting, a sizzling jazz band, and exuberant, dynamic dancing.

This show is amazing. It really is. I’m planning to see it again, that’s how entertaining and vibrant it is. I didn’t sit still for one moment. I marveled at the vocalists. Couldn’t stop smiling at the fantastic dance moves, and walking out of the show, I entertained thoughts of taking a swing dance class.

“Swing!” is on a limited run at the CDT so if you want in on the craziest, swinging-est show in town, get your tickets now. “Swing!” is only in town through Oct. 4. This Broadway show premiered in New York in October 1999 and during its two-year run – 461 performances­ – won six Tony Award nominations. Since then there have been many touring productions throughout the country.

It’s easy to see why the show is so popular. Swing music, and the varieties of swing dance it inspires, is athletic, fast, and fun. It’s a perfect antidote to the blues. And it acknowledges that sometimes what everyone needs is to sing and dance with abandon.

In order to stage this show, the CDT took a different approach. According to Michael Brindisi, CDT’s resident artistic director, the show’s “acrobatic, highly physical choreography and jazz music style makes ‘Swing!’ a highly specialized production.” It prompted Brindisi to bring in guest director Sean Cerone from the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, Ohio, and choreographer Alison Solomon. Both Cerone and Solomon are very familiar with the production, having previously directed and choreographed it. Solomon appears as one of the dancers, and her energetic leaps and jumps are exhilarating to see.

Dazzling dance

“Swing!” showcases 30 song and dance numbers. Vocalists Erin Marie Capello, Kate Margaret, Sean Nugent (he looks like a singing and dancing Brad Pitt–I’m serious) and Fred Steele (of the well-known Twin Cities group The Steeles) have wonderful voices–all the singing is terrific–but one of the highlights is the witty and sly “Bli-Blip” sung by Margaret and Steele. Beverly Durand and Jason Colacino dance an amazingly fast and flashy West Coast-styled swing during the dance contest number. Durand’s silver costume enhances the mercurially quick and intricate dance maneuvers; the couple is challenged by a hot Latin swing dance by Timotha Lanae and Michael Fielder.

For as much as the show pays homage to the Swing era–roughly 1935-1946, don’t think that it’s a nostalgia period piece. It’s upbeat, bright, contemporary and fresh. It’s a 21st century interpretation of classic swing songs, dance and costumes.

The finale is one big dance jive spectacle with dancers being tossed, swung, and flipped across the stage as the company plays and sings “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing.” One of the pleasures of the show is that the Chanhassen Jazz Band takes the stage.

The CDT has a fantastic orchestra/band, and it’s wonderful to see it come up from the orchestra pit to play a key character in the show. Not only does the band, directed by George Maurer, provide the jazzy musical backbone of the show, but musicians are showcased during several numbers. Cory Carter and his bass flirt with a smitten dancer, Alison Solomon in “Harlem Nocturne.” Erin Marie Capello and John England’s trombone trade barbs in “Cry Me a River.”

Who knew the CDT jazz joint could swing and jive so fine?

“SWING!”
Time: Performances nightly, Tuesday through Sunday. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday. Through Oct. 4
Cost: Dinner and show: $55-$74
Location: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Main Stage
Information: www.ChanhassenDT.com or 952-934-1525