Swinging on a Star (musical)

Swinging on a Star
Music	Johnny Burke Various Artists
Lyrics	Johnny Burke
Book	Michael Leeds
Productions	1995 Broadway

Swinging on a Star is a musical revue, featuring the music of Johnny Burke, with the lyrics by Burke and the music by Burke and several of his partners, such as Erroll Garner and Jimmy Van Heusen. The name of the revue is from the Oscar-winning song that Burke wrote with Jimmy Van Heusen for the 1944 film Going My Way.

Productions

Swinging on a Star premiered at the George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, New Jersey, on April 16, 1994, running to May 1994. The revue was conceived, written and directed by Michael Leeds, with costumes by Judy Dearing, sets by Deborah Jasien and choreography by Kathleen Marshall. The cast featured Michael McGrath, Alton Fitzgerald White, Kathy Fitzgerald and Lewis Cleale.^[1][2][3]

The revue was next produced at the Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut in 1995.^[4][3]

The show opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on October 22, 1995^[5][6] and closed on January 13, 1996 after 96 performances and 19 previews. Directed by Michael Leeds and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, it featured Michael McGrath, Teresa Burrell, Lewis Cleale, Denise Faye, Eugene Fleming, Kathy Fitzgerald, and Alvaleta Guess.^[7][3]

Synopsis and songs

Each segment showed a different time and place.

Act I Speakeasy-Chicago (1920s) You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew Chicago Style Ain't It a Shame About Mame What's New? Doctor Rhythm Depression-The Bowery Pennies from Heaven When Stanislaus Got Married His Rocking Horse Ran Away Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore Radio Show- New York City (1940s) Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore Scatterbrain One, Two, Button Your Shoe What Does It Take to Make You Take to Me? Irresistible An Apple for the Teacher USO Show-The Pacific Islands Thank Your Lucky Stars and Stripes Personality There's Always the Blues Polka Dots and Moonbeams Swinging on a Star Stars and Stripes

Act II Ballroom Don't Let That Moon Get Away All You Want to Do Is Dance You Danced with Dynamite Imagination It Could Happen to You Road To... Road To Morocco Apalachicola, FLA You Don't Have to Know the Language Going My Way Shadows on the Swanee Pakistan Road to Morocco (Reprise) Supper Club (1950s) But Beautiful Like Someone in Love Moonlight Becomes You If Love Ain't There (It Ain't There) Sunday, Monday, or Always Misty Here's That Rainy Day Pennies from Heaven (Reprise) Swinging on a Star (Reprise)

Sources

"Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" (1996), Johnny Burke, Joe Bushkin, Michael Leeds, pp. 4 and 7, ISBN 0822215233; Guide to Musical Theatre;^[8] IBDB.com^[9]

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Year	Award[7]	Category	Nominee	Result
1996	Tony Award	Best Musical[10]		Nominated
	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical	Lewis Cleale	Nominated
			Michael McGrath	Nominated
		Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical	Kathy Fitzgerald	Nominated
		Outstanding Choreography	Kathleen Marshall	Nominated
	Theatre World Award		Michael McGrath	Won

References

1. Klein, Alvin. " Theater. 'Swinging on a Star' in World Premiere" The New York Times, May 1, 1994
2. Daniels, Robert L. " 'Swinging on a Star' a Musical Celebration of Johnny Burke" Variety, May 9, 1994
3. Dietz, Dan. Swinging on a Star, The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield, 2016, ISBN 1442272147, p. 212
4. "Past Productions" goodspeed.org, retrieved January 3, 2018
5. Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review. Tribute to a Jazz-Age Lyricist" The New York Times, October 23, 1995
6. Gerard, Jeremy. "Reviews. 'Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" Variety, November 12, 1995
7. " 'Swinging on a Star' Broadway" Playbill, retrieved January 3, 2018
8. Swinging on a Star guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved January 3, 2018
9. " Swinging on a Star Songs" ibdb.com, retrieved January 3, 2018
10. Viagas, Robert. "The 1996 Tony Award Nominations" Playbill, May 29, 1996

External links

• Internet Broadway Database listing