STAGE REVIEW
'SWING!' a whirlwind of fun on stage
By Joseph Rozmiarek
Special to the Advertiser
Brad Goda photo
"Swing!" has the audience dancing up the aisles during intermission at Diamond Head Theatre. The show is a dance-and-song compilation of the moves and music from America's '30s and '40s swing era, turned out with professional polish by guest directors Adealani Malia and Alethea Train and a cast that is downright fabulous.
Clockwise, from left, Ashley Allen Tsuji, Morgen Chang, Katie Leiva, Arthur Johansen and Arlette St. Romain are part of the energetic singing/dancing cast in Diamond Head Theatre's production of "SWING!"playing through April 18. Beyond the dancing, the show offers delightful insight and visual surprises in interpreting its songs. There's no story line, but each number is an entertaining world initself.
Musical director Train prominently raises the musicians on platforms at the rear of the stage, while director and choreographer Malia keeps the front area free for almost nonstop dancing.
The production explodes six numbers into the first act, and moves like gangbusters all the way to the final curtain. There's no story line, and you don't need one. Each number is an entertaining world in itself.
While John Bryan sings "Throw That Girl Around," dance captain Elizabeth Ananji Harrison and partner Arthur Johansen launch into impossible moves that have us longing for freeze-frame technology and instant replay.
Harrison is a Jamie Lee Curtis type with legs that reach from here to infinity. Johansen is a smiling guy with gymnast shoulders who looks like nothing gives him greater pleasure than tossing his partner over his head while she wraps herself around him like a human slinky.
The number evolves into a challenge dance with Kelsey Kaneshiro and Ross Pascual putting on the moves as a Latin swing couple, while the music segues into "Show Me What You Got." Harrison pairs again later in the show with muscular John Tolentino for an apache take on "Blues in the Night," allowing herself to be manhandled and mopped across the floor in the best French barroom style.
Christy Vasiliauskas and Pat Nelson pop in and out of the action to showcase their Lindy Hop and jitterbug prowess, and while they're not fully integrated into the ensemble, they are cool, precise and effortless each time they appear.
8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through April 18 Diamond Head Theatre $42-$12 733-0274
Michelle Leng and Tony Anacan put a ballet spin on their duet to "I'll Be Seeing You," while Ashley Allen Tsuji and Morgen Chang wring genuine physical comedy from "Dancers In Love." That number has Tsuji playing a geeky Romeo literally leapt upon by Chang's full amorous fury and 85 pounds.
'Swing!'
Beyond the dancing, the show offers delightful insight and visual surprises in interpreting its songs.
Katie Leiva duets with Bryan as a pair of tentative lovers for a totally scat-song rendition of "Bli-Blip." Bryna O'Neill sings "Cry Me a River," while trombonist Steven Carruthers uses his mute to cry along with human understanding.
And who would have thought to do "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" with a trio of businessmen with suits and briefcases?
Patrick Kelly's set is colorful, the music is fine and the dancing is first rate. Put away your troubles and swing along because this show offers plenty to delight.
