Playhouse brings back the ‘40s for fundraiser

Tom Titus

Remember the 1940s? Most of us probably don’t but are aware that the

decade produced some pretty memorable music.

Next weekend, the Huntington Beach Playhouse will harken back to

the big band era with a special fundraising presentation entitled,

“The World War II Radio Revue.” Ticket donations of $20 will support

Project Autonomy, the playhouse’s quest for a home of its own.

James Gruessing, one of the theater group’s most active artistic

directors, has put the show together for a three-day,

four-performance engagement.

“It’s a revue of old songs and comedy routines from the 1940s,”

Gruessing said. “I thought it would be fun to put together a USO-type

show where the audience would be the troops going to see Bob Hope

perform.”

As Gruessing notes, “the names have been changed to protect the

innocent.” Thus, the show’s star is called “Bo Pope” and his fellow

entertainers go by the handles of “Dorothy Valoor” and “Rickey

Mooney.”

The great songs of the era remain the same, however, and audiences

will hear “Sentimental Journey,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “In the

Mood,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “GI Jive,” to list but a few.

“Actually, there are over 45 songs from the era represented in our

two-hour program,” Gruessing says. “We also have a live rendition of

the famous Abbott and Costello ‘Who’s on First?’ comedy routine,

along with some other surprises.”

Gruessing has peopled his production with many of the cast members

of January’s fundraiser, “Broadway Dreams,” along with some new faces

in the 18-performer company.

The show -- which includes eight vocalists and 10 tap dancers --

features Justin Bowler, Gino England, Jason Sluyter, Karl Jaecke,

Bill Wolski, Daniel Dawson, Daniel Smith, Krissie Luke, Rebecca

Morris, Tiffany Berg, Anne Fraser Thomas, Libby Snyder, Ann Meyers,

Rebecca Gleason, Jill Harper, Michael Betts, and the show’s

choreographer, Kami Seymour.

Show times are Aug. 13 at 8 p.m., Aug. 14 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Aug.

15 at 2 p.m. in the Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington

Beach.

Reservations are being taken at (714) 375-0696.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.