theatre review - THE ANDREWS BROTHERS - Hale Centre - January 18, 2016

Click here for more information on this production that runs through April 19th.

Chad Campbell, Tedd Glazebrook, Jessica Graham, and Brent Graham
Photo by Nick Woodward-Shaw 

 "The Andrews Brothers is a crowd-pleasing musical that takes audiences on a musical journey back to the 1940s. Featuring hit songs from that period, with many that were made famous by The Andrews Sisters, it is a nostalgic and charming show. Hale Centre Theatre's production features a cast of four who make the trip a fun and infectious romp. ...set on an island in the South Pacific in 1945. It follows three brothers who are the stage crew for the upcoming USO show headlined by The Andrews Sisters. Pin-up girl Peggy Jones arrives, excited for her first appearance in a big USO show ...When the Andrews Sisters are quarantined and the show appears set to be cancelled, it could be the end for Peggy's big break. But the brothers have an idea to save the show. The 25 songs in the show include many hits such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," ... and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree,"...Director/choreographer Cambrian James keeps the sentimentality of the show in check, focusing instead on the hijinks, humor, and warmth of the characters and story. ... the Hale cast features...Brent Graham and Tedd Glazebrook, along with Chad Campbell and Jessica Graham (Brent's wife). All four create unique characters and provide tight harmonies and vibrant solos. ...The cast forms a winning foursome, especially in their working together seamlessly in the surprise-filled second act....While The Andrews Brothers may be a little sentimental or old fashioned for those who've aren't familiar with The Andrews Sisters, the sense of nostalgia and the charming, familiar songs evoke the timeless period of the piece. With a winning cast, clear direction, and period inspired choreography, Hale's production is a hilarious, lively, and ultimately very enjoyable show."

 -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)