Big-band sights, sounds in Tiffin
10/22/2004Bud Forrest is ready to forgive anyone who dances in the aisles of the Ritz Theatre. In fact, he'll be surprised and disappointed if feet aren't tapping to the sound of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Take the A Train," and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen."
Forrest is the producer of In The Mood, a revue of the big-band sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, and Benny Miller, among others. It comes to the Tiffin theater for a single performance tomorrow.
"In the Mood is staged as if one of those big bands were on tour," Forrest said in a telephone interview earlier this week from Iowa.
Featuring the 13-piece String of Pearls orchestra and six singers and dancers, the show attracts people of all ages, Forrest said.
"Because of the amount of nonquality music out there, people are gravitating to classic American songs," he said.
For older audience members, the music has emotional impact, often sparking fond memories. Younger listeners just love swing music and dancing.
Named after the famous Glenn Miller tune, In the Mood was formed in the early 1990s. The National Archives in Washington presented the show as part of its commemoration of the 50th anniversary of World War II andsponsored a repeat performance on Constitution Avenue, attended by thousands.
The show then began an affiliation with the USO and toured the United States. Since then, the show has visited Europe and even performed at one of the inauguration balls of President Bill Clinton.
Its popularity shows no signs of waning, Forrest said.
"In the Mood" is scheduled at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the Ritz Theatre, 30 South Washington St., Tiffin. Tickets range from $19 to $39. Information: 419-448-8544.
NANCIANN CHERRY