Broadway with a Familiar Twist

by Thomas Gallogly

Broadway hits bring joy, nostalgia, and excitement to their listeners. But what happens when you take the classic sound of Broadway and turn it upside down?

This summer, Florida Studio Theatre welcomes back The Swingaroos, a ‘30s and ‘40s territory swing band known for their one-of-a-kind style and sound, as a part of our 2018 Summer Cabaret Season. Returning with a brand new show, The Music of the Night, this retro swing band will bring you a century of Broadway hits in a way you’ve never experienced them before.

The Music of the Night presents an opportunity for audiences to listen to a history of Broadway medleys ranging from “Put on a Happy Face” to “All That Jazz” and everything else in between–all with a ‘30s and ‘40s twist.

“The Music of the Night was created to bring some of our fans’ favorite Broadway and Jazz songs back to the stage in a fresh way,” shared Swingaroos’ frontwoman Kimberly Hawkey.

“We’ll be performing jazz tunes that came from Broadway, showtunes that were inspired by jazz, and even some modern hits that we reimagine for the swing band.”

This Cabaret will also draw inspiration from The Ziegfeld Follies, a series of glamorous acts from the early 1900s that revolutionized Broadway, giving FST patrons the opportunity to experience these musical theatre standards as if they are hearing them for the first time.

Because Broadway and Vaudeville were once the primary outlets for popular song writing, many Jazz standards and iconic medleys came straight from the musical theatre scene. Considering Jazz and Broadway’s long and popular history together, The Music of the Night is an exciting way to pay homage to Broadway’s origins while also creating a fresh and contemporary sound.

To FST’s Producing Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins, The Swingaroos offer an exciting twist on timeless classics. “It’s fresh. It feels like an old (territory swing) band, but still sounds somewhat new…,” shared Hopkins. “They’re so unique, and have such a great fresh sound.”