Nearly 20 young thespians, ages 11 to 18, will take Island audiences back in time to the 1930s and 40s this weekend with a production of “All Night Strut: A Jumpin’ Jivin’ Jam,” a song-and-dance revue of music from that era.

The show, directed by Marita Ericksen, is the latest offering from Drama Dock’s Youth Theatre Initiative, a program that provides kids with a chance to be on stage and also learn the behind-the-scenes business of putting on a show, including preparing lights, sound, props and programs.

A press release, written by two young participants in the show, described the show as a “mixture of wartime, choatic musical-within-a-musical, catchy tunes, wildly fun swing dances and more.”

It will include songs by such greats as Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Frank Loesser and Jerome Kern.

What’s more, choreographer Elise Ericksen and dance captain Pam Hotchkiss have helped the cast learn steps in swing, jazz, modern, mambo and samba dances.

Other adults have also pitched in to help. Fiddler and pianist Randy Bruce tickled the ivories in rehearsals and will lead an eight-piece band made up of members of Vashon’s Portage Fill Harmonic Big Band.

Noted Vashon performer Steffon Moody mentored his daughter Louisa Moody, who will appear in the show in the important role of Coda, a silent narrator who moves the show along with mime and movement.

The family-friendly musical will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Vashon High School. Tickets, $7.50 and $10, are on sale at Vashon Bookshop and at the door.

 

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