Sisters of Swing
In the 1930s and 40s they sold over 90 million records and they had more top ten hits than either Elvis or the Beatles. During WWII they toured the globe entertaining the troops and became known as America’s Wartime Sweethearts. Patty, Maxene and LaVerne Andrews, The Andrews Sisters, remain one of the all-time biggest selling vocal groups and their smiling, singing, dancing images can still be seen in movies and photos form the era. However, all that being said, it was through the unlikely early 70s Bette Midler hit recording of the Andrew Sisters classic song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", that most of us came to know the Andrews. And once you hear the Andrews Sisters’ unforgettable harmonies you’ll never get enough. With each new generation the Andrews Sisters gain a new group of fans and their recordings remain as popular as ever.
The sisters are the subjects of a lively and very entertaining show, Sisters of Swing, now playing at the Stoneham Theatre. It pays tribute to the ladies, tells the story of their lives and best of all recreates the sound of their harmony with remarkable accuracy through the live performances of Laura DeGiacomo, Kerri Jill Garbis and Kimberly Robertson. The girls are joined on stage by a live band and the multi-talented Steve Gagliastro who plays a variety of roles including the sister’s music producer, Bing Crosby, Carmen Miranda and many others.
Dressed up and costumed like the Andrews circa 1942, the girls sing and dance their way through two hours of the Andrews Sisters musical catalog with all their big hits including "Rum & Coca-Cola", "Apple Blossom Time", "Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree", "Six Jerks in a Jeep", ’I Can Dream Can’t I?" and many more. Although not quite in synch to start off with, by the third song the close harmony fell into place and the trio sailed through the rest of the show with ease. Hearing the Andrews Sisters’ close impeccable 3-part harmony on record is one thing, but hearing it done live, and perfectly, is a rare treat.
The show focuses mostly on the years 1925 -- 1945 when the Andrews started out singing and touring the country as young girls and follows their rise to the top of the pop charts. By the time they were in their late teens they had become big recording stars and were doing records and appearances with Bing Crosby, the Glenn Miller Band and most of the big stars of the day. The show’s backdrop is a scrapbook of photos of the Sisters and their fellow performers and also includes a video screen that shows more photos and video footage throughout the show.
And what would a show like this be without a look at the backstage lives and dramas of the sisters -- and there is plenty of it. Being sisters they certainly had their personal ups and downs and their domineering father held sway over their lives for as long as he could. When Maxene wanted to marry the girl’s Jewish record producer their father intervened and threatened the man with a gun, which ended up as front-page news. So, being the independent girl that she was Maxene married in secret and didn’t even tell her sisters.
Through it all the girls, is spite of their differences and difficulties, remained sisters. After the War as America settled into a new era, their career faltered. They broke up in 1953, got back together in 1956, and continued the act right up to the untimely death of Laverne in 1967. After Midler’s success with their song, the surviving sisters pursued solo careers, both in and out of show business. Maxene became V.P. of Tahoe Paradise College and occasionally performed right up until of her death in 1997 when she made her off-Broadway debut in "Swingtime Canteen". And Patty, now 90, still performs. She and Maxene also got back together in 1974 on Broadway for the hit musical "Over There" which cashed in on their new found popularity due to the Bette Midler recording.
When all is said and done it is the musical legacy that the Andrews Sisters left that will endure forever. The songs and the harmonies sound as fresh and fun today as they did way back when the girls first created their trademark sound. Watching "Sisters of Swing" will put a smile on your face and a song on your lips so get up to the Stoneham Theatre and start tapping your feet and swinging!
Now Through May 4
Adults $40, Seniors $35, Students $20
Stoneham Theatre
395 Main Street
Stoneham, MA 02180
781-279-2200
www.stonehamtheatre.org
