An Andrews Sisters Tribute

Described as the most popular female vocal group of the first half of the 20th century, The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto Laverne, soprano Maxene, and mezzo-soprano Patty and it is this vocal range that helped them create the range and depth of their sound. During WWII, they entertained the Allied forces extensively in Africa, Italy, and in the U.S., visiting Army, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard bases, war zones, hospitals, and munitions factories. They encouraged U.S. citizens to purchase war bonds with their rendition of Irving Berlin's song ‘Any Bonds Today?’ and also helped found the famous Hollywood Canteen, a retreat for servicemen where the trio often performed, volunteering their personal time to sing and dance. They performed with nearly all of the major big bands, and sold an estimated 80 million records.

The Andrews Sisters harmonies and songs are still influential today, being copied and recorded by entertainers including Patti Page, Bette Midler and Christina Aguilera. They had more Billboard hits than Elvis Presley or The Beatles and made 17 Hollywood films (more than any other singing group in motion picture history). It is safe to say that their role in shaping musical history is important and impactive and I was reminded at tonight’s show of the almost sacred role that performers of the works of many of these long gone, but highly unique artists fulfil in preserving and celebrating their legacy.

Endorsed by the Andrews Sisters Estate, this 120-minute show has been created by two of the Andrews Sisters Tribute Show performers, Tania Savelli and Shelley Pantic. Both are entertainment industry professionals with careers as performers, particularly as vocalists. They are joined in creating this iconic trio by talented vocalist Melanie Smith.

One of the draw backs, possibly due to ‘affordable’ Fringe ticket pricing, is for this and many other shows, the lack of a program or even QR link to information about this show and the performers, so acknowledging, by name, the excellent Musical Director, who is also a terrific pianist, and other band members is not possible. The beautifully 40’s styled trio are accompanied by the 14 piece ‘big band’, predominantly, and appropriately for the era style, mainly brass instruments. The band is terrific and their solo pieces drew audience excitement and enthusiastic applause. Relying heavily on reading information, vocalist and MC Peter Noble sings after the style of Bing Crosby; a hard act to follow as they screened a great film clip of Crosby singing with the Andrews Sisters.

Lighting and sound at The Norwood Concert Hall, where I saw the show, is very much ‘at the front’, but the show was well lit, and of course the sound style was period appropriate. A bonus is the use of a huge back screen that was used to show original pictures and film clips of the original Andrews Sisters and was used to create both an historical flow for the tribute story, and provide opportunities for three audience pleasing costume changes during the show.

All of The Andrews Sisters classics including ‘Sing, Sing’, Irving Berlin’s 1935 hit ‘Cheek to Cheek’, war time 1939 classic ‘Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree’ by Lew Brown and Charles Tobias, the toe tapping classic by Jaromír Vejvoda, ‘The Beer Barrel Polka’, Glenn Miller’s ‘Chatanooga Choo Choo’, Harry James’ ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and the original group’s first 1937 hit by Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin, ‘Mr. Shane’ and more, are all built into the show.

The almost exclusively 60+ audience loved, clapped, sang and danced along with this pacey show and it occurred to me, that without shows like this, younger generations would simply not have access to these songs. The show moves at a cracking pace and despite knowing most, I would have liked each of the songs to be named during the show in a sense to honour the songs and perhaps their writers. It also helps those who do not know songs to learn about them.

The three performers are skilled with harmony and whilst they lack the range and depth of The Andrews Sisters, their energy, warmth, musicality and choreography sells this show as a fitting tribute. Their enunciation is impeccable and their audience interaction had everyone ‘eating out of their hands’. Chatting during the 15-minute interval with those around me revealed the sheer joy and pleasure that the audience gained from this highly entertaining ‘walk down memory lane’.

Ultimately, overwork and ‘artistic differences by the early 1950s caused the breakup of the world’s first superstar girl group. Take the opportunity to enjoy the Three Little Sisters tribute to the iconic Andrews Sisters. Their unique tribute is a gift and homage to be enjoyed.

Jude Hines

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