| 1940s Radio Swing Dance: Students, cast swing into history at retro show |
By the Apache staff
The theatre and music departments are celebrating the holiday season by offering an interactive program Dec. 8 at the Hotel Kaskaskia in LaSalle.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the 1940s Radio Swing Dance will transport audience and performers back to 1943.
Based on the premise of a live broadcast happening out of the hotel ballroom, the evening will be "an exciting night of interactive style theatre," said Dr. David Kuester, co-director of the event.
From 7 to 8 p.m. singers will perform in the hotel lobby and a dance exhibition and dance lessons will be offered in the Ballroom.
At 8 p.m. Kai Ruxlow will sing the National Anthem. The radio show will go "on the air" at 8:02 p.m. with dance music featured through 8:40.
Three radio shows, the Bickersons, Swing Numbers, and Abbot and Costello, will run until 9 p.m.
The slot from 9 to 9:50 will again feature dance music and a soloist.
The Inner Sanctum Radio Show will then be performed to be followed by another dance music set.
At nearly 11 p.m., the radio program will sign off and the cast will perform closing numbers.
"It will be a fun theatre and music event," Kuester said.
Organizers have been encouraging audience members to join in the spirit of the show by dressing from the 1940s, and according to Dr. Kuester, it’s working.
"Many of the people who have bought tickets stated they are planning to come in period costumes," he said.
Appetizers will be served during the evening, and a cash bar will be available.
At press time, tickets were still available at the Bookstore for $25 a couple or $15 for an individual.
Producers of the show, in addition to Kuester, are Mike Pecharek, music instructor, and Kathy Baracani-Halblieb, an IVCC theatre alumna.
Members of the Big Band are: Harry N. Noel, trumpet; Aldo Piscia, guitar; David Peterson, bass; Raymond Younger, alto sax; Jacqueline Marquardt, alto sax; Marilyn Younger, tenor sax; and Pecherek, drums.
Members of the vocal ensemble are: Dustin Spray, Krista Somers, Lisa Twardowski, Jennifer Baracani, Megan Zomboracz, Rosemarie Walsh, Luke Scheickert, and Kathryn M. Sarver.
The Inner Sanctum radio show cast includes: Megan Stout as Sara, Jason Wertz as Paul; Jose Miranda as Griffin; Amber Mecum as Dr. Norton; Heith Harrison as the sound guy,
Matt Harmon as Sound Director, Ed Vasquez as the Scary Narrator, and Luke Scheickert as MC/Narrator.
The cast for the Bickersons radio show is Kaaren Holt as Blanch and Michael Hylin as John.
For the Who’s on First routine, George Ferroni plays Abbott and Tom Schultz plays Costello.
The Swing Dancers are Angela Brown, Luke Scheickert, Sarah Heitmann, Abe Henkle, Sean Walsh, Amanda Gruenwald, Maurice Caffey, Lisa Twardowski, Heith Harrison, Olivia Cendejas, William Cuffe, and Shaila Rahman.
The organist is Kristina Katchmar.