SWINGIN’ THE DREAM
SWINGIN’ THE DREAM
Presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company
with the Young Vic and Theatre for a New Audience
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 2pm EST
Streamed live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The recording of the performance, which was streamed live, is available until 2pm EST Saturday, January 16.
If you registered for the live event, the link to watch is the same.
If you would like to register to watch, please email our Box Office Manager at abyrum@tfana.org.
First performed at The Center Theatre, Broadway in 1939, Gilbert Seldes and Erik Charell’s jazz-infused version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and intriguing Broadway musical adaptations of Shakespeare of all time.
The original production featured lyrics by Eddie DeLange and music by Jimmy Van Heusen with choreography by Agnes de Mille. The 1939 musical featured some of the most popular African American performers of the day including Louis Armstrong, Moms Mabley, Maxine Sullivan, the Dandridge Sisters and Butterfly McQueen alongside musical contributions from Count Basie, Fats Waller and Benny Goodman.
Now, eight decades on from the show’s Broadway premiere, TFANA has teamed up with the Royal Shakespeare Company and London’s Young Vic to swing into the New Year with a one-off concert, telling the story of the musical.
Presented by Kwame Kwei-Armah (Artistic Director, Young Vic), the show will feature a selection of original songs from the production performed by RSC musicians Neil Charles (Bass), Peter Edwards (MD/Arranger/Piano), Chris Storr (Trumpet) and Zara McFarlane (Vocals). The cast comprises Alfred Clay, Andrew French, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Cornell S. John, Georgia Sanders, Mogali Masuku, Baker Mukasa and Anne Odeke.
We are so grateful to all of you who have stood with us during this time. As a New Year’s gift to our community, TFANA is covering the $13.50 (£10) ticket price for our donors, members of our email list, or anyone who joins our mailing list. Please consider a fully tax-deductible gift of any size to help support the artists and our costs in bringing you “Swingin’ The Dream” and other digital offerings. With your help, our community can stay strong. Our shared conversation that is at the heart of great theatre will continue.
MAKE A GIFT
Theatre for a New Audience’s participation in this event is supported in part with a generous gift from the Pearce Shakespeare Endowment at Rhodes College.
Theatre for a New Audience’s 2020–21 Season is Dedicated to the Memory of Terrence McNally, American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter.
Deloitte and Bloomberg Philanthropies are the 2020-2021 Season Sponsors.