PRESS RELEASE:
We need a Music Director/pianist for a new 50s revue to be performed The Senior Center of West Seattle and in various senior centers in the Seattle area during June. Rehearsals start April 25, three times per week for five weeks in West Seattle.
Budget calls for $400 stipend, comps, and video of production. Must teach cast of eight adults “Doo Wop” voice parts by rote. Possible local touring opportunities will follow.
Also…. a Choreographer ($100 honorarium)
Also…..Musical Performers….. looking for four men and four women (18-50ish) who sing (all must be soloists) and can charm an audience. $100 stipend, comps, and video for initial run.
This is a non-union production.
Contact Kent Johnson (kjohn04@msn.com) for more information.
Regards,
Kent
kjohn04@msn.com
Description of project: To present the Northwest premiere of “Those Fantabulous Fifties”.
The Fifties was, fundamentally, a time of conformity. The War was over and Americans set about rebuilding their lives with the same energy and optimism they poured into the war effort. It was an exciting time that historians refer to as “The American Decade”. Vintage clothing, fads, slang, music, television, and movie preferences tell us a lot about our culture.
“Those Fantabulous Fifties” explores these bookmarks as it offers a salute to this special time in our history when a kid named Elvis was King.
Come enjoy those innocent times with a cast and crew that will have you jumpin’ in your seats as you bunny-hop down memory lane.
This show, written by Kent Johnson premiered in the Los Angeles area in May of 2008. It followed another Johnson project called “Doo Wop Daze” which premiered at the WestEnd Dinner Theatre in 2007. Mr. Johnson also wrote “The White Arrow” ( a musical) , “Memories on the Wind (a psychological thriller), and “The Inventive Dr. Franklin” which he performed for twelve years. He is also the author of “Yes, Kent” (an autobiography).
Mr. Johnson has produced, directed or acted in over three hundred stage productions in the past sixty-four years. He is the recipient of many awards for his stage and television work including a Sigma Alpha Iota award for his production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and was honored with two Emmy nominations and one national “Telly” award.
“Those Fantabulous Fifties” was created to be different than other, more traditional, musical productions. It is specifically designed to get the audience involved, up on their feet and participating like another member of the cast. And it works…. wonderfully well! The show elements that specifically include the audience’s participation are:
Bingo…
popular radio and television commercials memory test
“Hand Jive”
“The Twist”
“Limbo”…Hula Hoop Challenge and Frisbee Flyby
50s Trivia Quiz….
All this and thirty-five of the most popular songs of the 1950s.
