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.Klein, Alvin. " Theater. 'Swinging on a Star' in World Premiere" The New York Times, May 1, 1994Daniels, Robert L. " 'Swinging on a Star' a Musical Celebration of Johnny Burke" Variety, May 9, 1994Dietz, Dan. Swinging on a Star, The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield, 2016, , p. 212
The revue was next produced at the Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut in 1995."Past Productions" goodspeed.org, retrieved January 3, 2018
The show opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on October 22, 1995Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review. Tribute to a Jazz-Age Lyricist" The New York Times, October 23, 1995Gerard, Jeremy. "Reviews. 'Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" Variety, November 12, 1995 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." 'Swinging on a Star' Broadway" Playbill, retrieved January 3, 2018
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, ; Guide to Musical Theatre;Swinging on a Star guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved January 3, 2018 IBDB.com" Swinging on a Star Songs" ibdb.com, retrieved January 3, 2018
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result 1996 Tony Award Best MusicalViagas, Robert. "The 1996 Tony Award Nominations" Playbill, May 29, 1996 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Lewis Cleale Michael McGrath Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Kathy Fitzgerald Outstanding Choreography Kathleen Marshall Theatre World Award Michael McGrath
References
External links Internet Broadway Database listing