Swingin’ at The Shawnee

The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on Delaware, PA hosted The Nittany Theatre Company in State College, PA presentation entitled, “Fred and Friends: Swingin’ in 40’s Style-A Musical Concert Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio” on Friday May 8th featuring a recreation of the NBC Radio Broadcast presented by Band Leader Fred Waring during the 1940s. In addition to his popularity on national radio, Fred Waring was especially well known throughout the Shawnee on Delaware area for his frequent shows at The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort* which is closely associated with The Shawnee Playhouse*. The evening was filled with the nostalgic music that made this period the golden age of radio and more than adequately demonstrated why.

Along with a program detailing what to be expected to be seen during the evening’s performance, each member of the audience were given a booklet written and compiled by David Saxe (who also wrote the script for the concert) entitled, “Radio in Wartime” which covered a great deal of history relating to broadcast policies enacted during World War II and Fred Waring’s place in that history. It also contained some information about Fred Waring few knew as it was Fred Waring who invented the Waring Blender whose technological descents still find their place in numerous kitchens throughout the world. The booklet focused upon the patriotic fervor which dominated the times, but it also included incidents when such fervor proved abusive and diminished the freedom our country represents. Such an example was the passages relating to the US Supreme Court 8-1 decision ruling schools had the right to require students to salute and pay homage to the flag regardless of their family’s religious beliefs.

The show itself was fast paced and very entertaining. Many times we hear such songs on documentaries or some public or college radio programs dedicated to the 1940s. While experiencing to these show are very entertaining in themselves, hearing these songs sung live enhances them. This is especially true when they’re sung well as it encourages the listener to pay more attention to the songs’ lyrics and therefore find a deeper meaning in them and how their themes still relate to our lives; even if they were first sung long before our births.

Portraying Fred Waring was Alex Hill who served as Musical Director who consisted of Jackie Edmondson on Keyboards, Stacy Tibbits* on Rhythm Guitar, and Spencer Inch on Drums and Percussion. The singers who lent their voices to the faithful interpretations to the songs included Andy Saxe, Anna Rockower, Carrie Kroeker, Chris Hollobaugh, David Saxe, Deb Saxe, Lloyd Short, Mercer Bristow, Merlee Hill, Laura Saxe, Lauren Schall, and Rebekah Sharp. Many of the singers also preformed in character as one of the many people who appeared on The Fred Waring Radio Show such as Jack Benny, Frank Sinatra, and Ethel Merman. This added to the flavor of the show enhancing it’s reminiscence.

This presentation of The Nittany Theatre Company presentation entitled, “Fred and Friends: Swingin’ in 40’s Style-A Musical Concert Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio” will continue its run at The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA until May 10th. The next Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presentations will be their production of “Snapshots“ May 15th - 24th, “A Walk In The Woods” presented May 29th through 31st, “Always… Patsy Cline” from June 5th to July 12th, “Camelot” from June 26th to August 9th.

Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse* at 570-421-5093 or Explore their Website for more information and to reserve your ticket. Please feel free to Explore The Nittany Theatre Company Website at www.nittanytheatre.com to learn more information about them.

Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $2.00 discount off the admission fee of selected The Shawnee Playhouse* Productions.

The Nittany Theater Company provided this photograph of the show.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.