by Jerry Swanberg

If you’re a fan of Big Band music from the Swing era, Jazz Vocalists, and Swing Dancing, you’ve got to catch Swing!, Broadway’s hit musical revue, at the Chanhassen Dinner theater. It will knock your socks off!! I saw the original version of Swing in NYC when it first opened a few years ago, and it was great, but I liked Chanhassen’s interpretation even better. It’s playing at Chanhassen through October 4th, so act soon by calling 952-934-1525, and say you’re a TCJS member and receive a $15 off dinner and show ticket.

You’ll see 37 exuberant song and dance numbers backed by the fabulous Chanhassen Swing Orchestra, directed by pianist George Mauer. The four vocalists are outstanding; including Kate Margaret from NYC; Fred Steele, a member of the acclaimed singing family “The Steeles”, Sean Nugent; and Erin Marie Capello, a student at Normandale Community College. The dozen Swing Dancers are sensational, including four dancers from NYC, including Beverly Durand from the original cast on Broadway. Their energy was truly incredible.

The eight piece band is superb! - very tight, wonderful soloists, and they swing like crazy, plus they really have a big band sound, due to some great arrangements. Stan Scott and Gus Sandberg were the saxes, John England – trb, Cory Carter – bass, Paul Krueger - guitar, and Matthew Barber – drums (the son of the late Bill Barber, one of the founders of TCJS). I was really impressed with the performance of lead trumpeter Jeff Nordquist, a graduate of St. Olaf College’s superb music program. When you read this article Bob Hallgrimson, the lead trumpeter of the mighty JazzMN Big Band, and saxophonist Sara McDonald will have replaced Sandberg and Nordquist.

Some of my favorites tunes were “Swing It, Brother, Swing” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing”, featured in both the exciting Intro and Finale. There was a great Glen Miller Medley in the “USO” segment. Margaret and Fred did some incredible Scat singing in the Be-Bop segment titled “The Date”. Trombonist England and Bassist Carter both did superb duets with vocalists on “Cry Me A River” & “Harlem Nocturne”. Jeff was terrific in the “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B”, which featured three dancers in 3-piece suits, white shirts, red ties, and briefcases, which seemed to me to be a humorous take off about IBM, of which I was an employee for 32 years. If you were in the Military in the 40s – 60’s, you’ll enjoy some of the subtle humor in the WW II segments. There was even a segment of Country Music Swing. Another great swinging segment was titled “Savoy”.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theater was founded in 1968 and they are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. In fact, Swing” is their 88th show on the Main Stage since they opened. They are the largest professional dinner theater in the nation. The 600 seat theater was packed the night I saw Swing!, and they were very enthusiast. Swing! is a show NOT TO MISS!, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen at Chanhassen.