'In the Mood' revives music, dance of '40s

The songs took the audience back to the fabulous '40s
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Friday's performance of "In The Mood" by a national touring troupe at Stambaugh Auditorium was delayed by more than 30 minutes because of "technical difficulties" while union members held informational pickets outside the hall.
But after the theater-goers were seated, the disgruntled patrons rapidly got in a better mood as the String of Pearls singers and dancers revived the fabulous '40s with nonstop energy and enthusiasm.
The second show in the Monday Musical Club's annual series was a 1940s revue featuring song-and-dance numbers from that era, with the troupe in period clothing.
'40s favorites
The band played favorites like "Little Brown Jug," "Stomping at the Savoy," "Begin The Beguine," and "Harvest Moon" as the troupe performed popular dances from that time.
A tribute to the military wrapped up the show, with audience members from various branches of the military being asked to stand as they sang the theme song for each branch.
A picture-perfect re-creation of the famous Life magazine photo of a returning sailor kissing a nurse added a whimsical touch.
The Greatest Generation
"In The Mood" is a retro look at what has been called America's greatest generation -- those who lived through World War II. It has been touring since 1994.
War was on the minds of the nation, but music was used to keep hopes alive.
In a number of segments, a '40s radio host narrated key moments of the day: the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the rise of a fabulous new vocal group called the Andrews Singers.
The lingo of the day -- killer diller, hepcats, jivin' -- was peppered throughout the evening, and the narrator also dropped Youngstown references into his speech.
The dancers wore saddle shoes and tennis sweaters.
Informational picketing
More than a dozen members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees passed out handbills to theater-goers as they entered.
Patrons could enter the lobby but were not admitted into the seating area until 8 p.m. -- the show's scheduled starting time.
An auditorium spokesman attempted to calm the irritated crowd as it milled about in the lobby before the show.
"We apologize for the inconvenience. They are still trying to set up the lighting, and if we allow you into the seating area, [the stagehands] won't be able to hear each other talking across the stage."