MMT's Production of 'SWING!' Selling Out for a Reason

It's not until the top of the second act that "SWING!" fully produces, but when it turns on, it's like the opening beats of Goodman's "Swing, Swing, Swing": pure energy.

Mill Mountain Theatre's latest production, and most ambitious musical piece in a while ("The Sound of Music" notwithstanding) has a 10-person professional cast of young people who can sing and dance with style, flare and talent. The singers hold their notes and the dancers occasionally look like youthful versions of Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly.

Choreographer/director Ginger Poole shows off her considerable talent with this production--in addition to running the theater and working with Matthew Glover in costume design. She is quite gifted. (Glover also worked on the choreography.)

There are highlights aplenty: Jennifer Porach's "Blues in the Night," Anna Kimmell's "Cry Me a River," Carlyn Connolly's spectacular "Stompin' at the Savoy" ( song I didn't know even had lyrics), and Robert Tisdale's "Blue Skies." There are solid duets and the dancing throughout (especially from Kimmell, who is a full-timer at MMT, Allison Nock, Rachel Pearlman, Andy Frank and Jamal Shuriah) is thoroughly entertaining.

The other MMT employee who is in the production is Matthew Glover (associate artistic director) who sings and dances quite well.

It is a worthwhile production, one the audiences are flocking to. You might want to grab a ticket pretty quickly for the run, which goes through May 18 (with two performances Saturdays and Sundays). Check the photo caption for phone number and web address in order to get your tickets.