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| “Hand Me Down the Silver Trumpet” Rutgers–Camden Theater, in association with the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts "Sounds of Camden" exhibition, kicks off its 2014-2015 Season with a world-premiere new musical, Hand Me Down the Silver Trumpet, which celebrates the legacy of great African American recording artists of the 1920s and 30s and features performances of classic blues, jazz, and spirituals performed by students, alumni, guest artists, and a truly swinging band. Conceived and directed by Professor Kenneth Elliott, the show will run from Thursday, October 16th through Sunday, October 19th at the Walter K. Gordon Theater located on the Rutgers University–Camden Campus. The cast of nine features music program alumna Dionne Fields (Philadelphia) in a dual role as Mamie, a 20s blues singer, and Dionne, the contemporary mother of a Rutgers student. Donnel Treadwell Jr., a senior music major (Camden), is her son, James, who discovers a trove of old 78s in his great-grandmother's attic and is magically transported back in time to a recording session at Victor Records circa 1928. Bashawn M. Moore, a graduate student in English (Trenton) and guest artist Mike A. Weems (Washington D.C.) play a pair of jazz singers who are his time-travelling guides. Guest artist Langston Darby (Philadelphia) plays the Rev. McGee, who arrives at the session to record one of his most popular three-minute sermons. Senior theater/philosophy major Mike Hess (Laurel Springs) is Smithers, the recording engineer. The cast is rounded out by freshman Davonna Patterson (Lindenwold), freshman English major Adèja Rice (Camden), and sophomore marketing major Markenzie Johnson (Williamstown). Professor Kenneth Elliott authored the book and will direct the piece. Elliott is an Associate Professor of Theater at Rutgers–Camden, and also serves as the chair of the Department of Fine Arts. He is well known for his Off-Broadway work in New York, where he co-founded Theatre-in-Limbo. Recently, he directed The Mystery of Irma Vep at the Bay Street Theater. In 2009, he co-wrote and directed another original piece, Devil Boys from Beyond, which was awarded "Best of Fringe" at the New York International Fringe Festival.Professor Elliott has directed many productions at Rutgers–Camden, including The Fairy Queen, Angels in America, The Glass Menagerie, and A Doll's House. The score consists of 18 tunes, some familiar and some obscure, written by top composers and lyricists of the 20s and 30s, and all of which were recorded for Victor's "race catalog." This was a vast catalog of recordings that were marketed to African-American communities of the period. Musical supervision is by Professor Stefán Örn Arnarson, a recent Barrymore Award nominee, who is also handling the arrangements and orchestrations, many of which were transcribed from the original recordings. The 12 piece on-stage, live band is made up of some of the best young professional jazz musicians in the area, along with students and alumni from Rutgers–Camden. Choreography is by Samuel Antonio Reyes, who was recently nominated for a Barrymore Award for his choreography on Alter Boyz at the 11th Hour Theatre Company. Professor James Mobley, technical director of the theater program, will design the authentic-looking recording studio and attic scenery for the piece. Costume design is by Mark Mariani; lighting is by Andrew Cowles. Stage Management duties are held by sophomore English major Stella Brennan-Romano (Montclair). Performances Evening Performances – Friday and Saturday October 17th, and 18th at 7:30pm Matinees – Thursday and Sunday October 16th – 10:00am October 19th at 2:00pm write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |