From Dejanews, a public theater newsgroup



Subject: Swing!
Date: Nov. 17, 1999
Author: DAVEYLOW

I have seen few posts about Swing! which I saw in preview last Sunday night. This show is better than Dream, a show that it resembles with its dance revue format, a cabaret singer (Ann Hampton Callaway instead of John Pizarelli), and a swinging band on stage. Some of the dance numbers are delightful, and a few are uninspired. The numbers that worked for me: "Two and Four" featuring Laura Benanti, "Billy A Dick" featuring Michael Gruber and company as a group of insomniacs, and most of Act II, except for a duet between Everett Bradley and Ann Hampton Callaway ("All of Me/I Won't Dance"). A country-western number in Act II really seems out of place, but the some of the dancing by Laureen Baldovi is spectacular and makes the number worth keeping in. Callaway and Everett Bradley do a funny duet called "Bli-Blip". The USO segment is really unoriginal.

I liked the whole cast very much. Ann Hampton Callaway is in fine voice, Laura Benanti sounds great and shows a gift for comedy, Michael Gruber adds some style and is a good hoofer, and Everett Bradley has a good voice, though I don't know why he has to carry a briefcase in almost every number he's in.

There's a lot of positive energy in this show, but I don't think the format is ultimately very satisfying. The audience was very enthusiastic (were they all paying customers?). I went on TDF and had an excellent seat in a gorgeously restored theater, so I enjoyed myself. But I doubt if I would have chosen to see this full-price. Will audiences support Fosse, Contact, and this? I really don't know.

Two numbers listed in the program were cut: "Harlem Nocturne" and "I Wish I Were in Love Again", a duet with Benanti and Callaway, which I would have enjoyed hearing.


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