By Maria Borri
Apache Staff
Audience members will be transported to the World War II era Dec. 8 by “The 1940s Radio Swing Dance,” a presentation by the IVCC music and theatre department.
The production, consisting of swing dances, the band performing music from the 1940s and old time radio skits, will be presented at the Kaskaskia Hotel in LaSalle. Dr. David Kuester, theatre director, said the characters and band will be costumed for the decade and that the audience will be encouraged to also dress from the 1940s. The swing dancers will demonstrate dances and encourage the audience to participate.
Kuester said the performance is modeled after the dances soldiers could attend during World War II.“We are capitalizing on this idea by glorifying the era of the 1940s without emphasizing the war,” he said.
The program is being presented at a time when the music department traditionally has produced the Madrigal Dinner. The Madrigal, which has been staged for 26 consecutive years at IVCC, will not be produced this year.
“The 1940s Radio Swing Dance is not to serve as a replacement for the Madrigal Dinner,” Kuester said. “The event was picked to utilize the choir, theatre and art program we have and use the areas we are strong in.”
Kuester said 300 tickets would be available, and he expects a good turn out. Tickets will be on sale at the Bookstore in November at $25 for a couple and $15 for an individual. Appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available.
Producers of the program include Karry Baracani-Halblieb, an IVCC theatre department alumni; Michael Pecharek, music instructor; and Kuester. Anyone interested in participating should contact Kuester at 224-0352.