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The All Night Strut
“ A Fascinatin’ Rhythm”
Conceived by Aaron Thielen & Marc Robin
Originally conceived by Fran Charnas
Directed & Choreographed by Marc Robin
Musical Direction by Doug Peck
Orchestrations by David Siegel
At Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire
Rt 45 & Rt 22
Lincolnshire, IL
Call 847-634-0200, tickets $4- - $42 - $45
Wednesdays at 1 & 8 PM
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 PM
Sundays at 1 & 5 PM
Special Tuesday performances at 8 PM Dec. 19 &26
Through February 11, 2006
Reinvented dance spectacular sparkles at Marriott Theatre
When Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire decided to mount Fran Charnas’ little dance revue, The All Night Strut, first staged in the old Drury Lane Evergreen Park in the late 1980’s, it soon become apparent to Marriott Theatre’s Lead Artistic Director Aaron Thielen and director Marc Robin that they needed to expand the show for the dance-loving Marriott audience. They kept the songs but rethought and expanded the show to incorporate a full range of dance styles. Reinventing and improving old shows has become a ritual at Marriott Theatre.
Using six music arrangers, five choreographers, doubling the lighting budget and casting twenty-three performers and ten musicians, The All Night Strut! has emerged as the most expensive show ever at Marriott Theatre. It is also one of the finest shows they have ever mounted! It is a fabulous, eye-popping, toe-tapping, well sung burst of energy! It is a marvel of innovation, dance variety and a refreshingly new dance show. That’s quite hard to do—a new dance show. Kudos to Aaron Thielen and Marc Robin for their magnificent accomplishment.
I love dance shows and this two hour show swept me off my feet. I can’t remember enjoying a show as much as I did this gem. The All Night Strut is part 30’s – 40’s swing and lindy dance show, part Broadway musical showstopper, part dance concert with aerial elements, ballet, hip hop, part Stomp rhythms with jazz, jitterbug, swing, tap, Latin and modern dance all fused into 17 scenes held together with an emcee/mime (played with delicious humor by clown-faced Matt Schwader).
From the opening number, “Billie’s Bounce (Charlie Parker) that featured deft jazz solo’s from onstage musicians to the ultimate swing tune “In The Mood,” smartly choreographed by swing experts Mark Stuart Eckstein & Beverly Durand (who also sparkle as dancers), The All Night Strut grabs us and never lets go for 2 hours of exciting dance and strong singing with a fabulous orchestra lead by Patti Garwood. Swing and be-bop is featured in “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar. Susie McMongale, Susan Moniz, Stephan Schellhardt and Jim Weitzer were terrific singing harmonies, duets and solos that complimented the dances nicely.
The show featured such varied styles as the modern ballet styled “Nightmare,” a war dance choreographed by Sasha Vargas and expertly danced by the men’s ensemble. “Lullaby of Broadway” emerged as both a major top number as well as a hint at 42nd Street. Matt Raftery and Kristy Luehm sang and dance the cute “I Get Ideas” in tribute to all young lovers everywhere. Susie McMonagle and Jim Weitzer landed the whimsical “Fine Romance” and “Ain’t Misbehavin .” the full cast tapped into our hearts with the act one finale “Lullaby of Broadway.”
Act two was the most spectacular and varied dance show seen in many a year! Opening to the music of “White Cliffs of Dover,” aerial choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi offers a visual stunning aerial dance with beautiful lighting by Diane Ferry Williams with Nancy Missimi’s wonderful glowing body suits to create a floating, above ground dance. Marc Robin added ballet touches to complete Doug Peck’s apt music.
Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm” featured drummer Joe Ludwig and Buddy Reeder battling in a Stomp style hip hop meets tap and Latin rhythm that was both innovative and clever. Sasha Vargas’s choreographer was invigorating.
The show features many of the finest “A+” dancers that included: Beverly Durand & Mark Stuart Eckstein; Nia Gregory & Joe Komara; Pia Manalo & Tommy Rapley; Lisa Rumbauskas & Christopher Windom; Buddy Reeder & Nicole Famighetti; Dara Cameron, Lucy Carapetyan, Ian Liberto, Eric Shorey, Allison Stodola, Matt Raftery & Kristy Luehm.
With music from Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker and the Gershwin’s, The All Night Strut has all the elements of a fun, energetic song and dance show that sets the standard for modern dance revues. Don’t miss this finely produced show. Kudos to Terry James, Aaron Thielen and Marc Robin for their vision and bravery. This is one of 2006’s highlight shows.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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