COME BOOGIE WOOGIE WITH THE ANDREWS SISTERS AT NELSON HALL

                                                            THE ANDREWS SISTERS

Called the “defining sister act of all times,” with one hundred million records to their credit, sweethearts of the swing and big band era and the optimistic voices of World War Ii, the Andrews Sisters were a nostalgic fixture of our American musical lexicon.  While only teenagers, their career began when they won first prize in a talent contest at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, beating out a ventriloquist act  by the name of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

Initially imitating the earlier success of the Boswell Sisters of New Orleans, they – Maxene, LaVerne and Patty – forged a permanent place in the American songbook.  When their father’s restaurant failed, he took them on the road in a vaudeville act to support the family, similar to how Frances Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, also provided income for her family.  The sisters became a household name by the 1940’s, especially after their major Decca record hit, the Yiddish song “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon,” translated as “To Me, You Are Grand.” Their close harmonies still are influential today, with such stars as The McQuire Sisters, the Lennon Sisters, the Supremes, Bette Midler and Christina Aguiliera following their lead.

Called “the Sweethearts of the Armed Forces Services,” they entertained troops in the United States, Africa and Italy, encouraged the sale of U. S. war bonds and brought musical joy to soldiers at the U. S. O. With hits like “Rum and Coca Cola,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Any One Else But Me),” you are invited to enjoy a nostalgic trip back in time with a tribute show featuring a trio of Minnesota gals, “The Andrews Sisters Music and Memories” at Nelson Hall at Elim Park in Cheshire, for five performances Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24.

This high energy trip down memory lane will feature Aimee Lee as LaVerne, Kathryn Mueller as Maxene and Lisa Pallen as Patty who will recreate the vivid stylings of these women. Backed by a six piece band led by a two –time Ivey award-winning arranger and musical director Raymond Berg, the girls will include Bill Arnold of Triple Express as host and emcee, telling personal stories and anecdotes.

In 2001, Raymond Berg created two Andrews Sisters’ shows, one a theater piece and this one, a biographical juke box musical, in concert form, with an emcee.  Singing more than twenty of their greatest hits, the trio will croon the swing music that is inherently American.  In their time, the original group sold more records than Elvis and the Beatles, at Decca Records across the mike from Bing Crosby or with orchestras like Tommy Dorsey or at the Grand Ol’ Opry.  They were the girls next door for GIs.

This new troupe have become like sisters too, rehearsing, recording, with vigorous skatting, recreating  the very tricky sounds that weave the melody on top or in the middle, singing above and below the melody to blend it into a whole.  This close harmony singing, according to Berg, “celebrates their lives and contributions in a positive way in music that guarantees they live on.” 

In Aimee Lee’s mind, “We are all blessed with full rich lives.”  By day, she works for a non-profit  Recycle Across America and enjoys her two granddaughters Reese and Dakota, Kathy is a secretary at an elementary school, teaches voice and piano and is a grandmother too while Lisa is a pharmacy tech at Walgreen’s with twin daughters Elle and Sophia and sings with a group Bella Diva. 

For Aimee, the show has an ”element of the unknown and unexpected,” with a range of songs and ballads that encourage toe-tapping.  The music is “amazing, especially singing with my two best friends.  It’s almost effortless, the blending is easy, even though the music is complicated.  In the beginning, the words were hard to memorize but now it’s a total joy.”   As an emcee, she feels Bill Arnold is “clever, funny, corny and big hearted.”

For tickets ($18-35), call Nelson Hall at Elim Park, 150 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire at 203-699-5495 or online at nelsonhallelimpark.org.  Performances are Thursday, March 21 at 2 p.m., Friday, March 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m.  Veterans are welcome to come Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for half-price at $17.50.  Special lunches for groups of twenty are available in the Conservatory on Thursday and Friday before the show.  Call 203-699-5495 for reservations.

Come Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive as these Sisters of Swing recreate a bygone era that is sure to be memorable, exhibiting hope and promise, especially to our troops at home and abroad.