Music of the '40s featured at Follies Theatre

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UTICA — A new star-spangled revue has hit the Follies Theatre stage in Utica for a limited run with “G.I. Jump n’ Jive Jukebox,” a celebration of the great music of the 1940s.

Presented as a radio show broadcasting from a USO, the cast (Don Grant Zellmer, Grace Lethiot, R.C. Schultz, Erin Gibson and Eric Chambliss) takes the audience on a sentimental journey with over two dozen tunes from the big band era.

The show also recreates “Victory Bonds” commercials, radio play comedies and smooth dance moves. A nostalgic glimpse into the WWII era, “G.I. Jump ‘n Jive Jukebox” makes the real star of the show the great music of the 1940s, featuring tunes made famous by Glenn Miller, The Andrews Sisters, Rosemary Clooney and many more.

“G.I. Jump ‘n Jive Jukebox” plays every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Nov. 8. All seats are $22, with a discount for veterans.

Reservations may be made by calling the Follies Theatre Box Office at (815) 667-7008. Dinner show packages are available with participating area restaurants, and group rates are available as well.

Cast member and director Don Grant Zellmer commented, “This is by far my favorite era for music. I grew up on it, and love the tight harmonies and great lyrics. Even the nonsense songs like “Mairzy Doats” are a delight.”

Indeed, the show offers a mix of very familiar songs such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “In The Mood” to lesser-known tunes such as “I Can’t Get Started With You.”