By Larry Blake

“The Andrews Brothers” a musical inspired by and featuring songs from the World War II Big Band Era, book by Roger Bean.  Now being presented by Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton, Long Beach, through May 4, 2008, 562-856-1999, www.musical.org  Ticket prices:  $25-$53

Do you still remember those great songs from the 1940s like “Hold Tight”, “On a Slow Boat to China”, and “Rum and Coca Cola”?  Do you remember the USO shows of World War II?  If there is still a nostalgic thirst running through your veins for that time in history, then truck on down to Musical Theatre West’s production of The Andrews Brothers and grab some tickets before they’re all sold out.  It is an evening full of that great period music that lovingly pays tribute to those USO shows of World War II.       

The premise of the evening is simple.  Three stage hand nerds have been working the USO tours.  They are frustrated being behind the scenes.  They are preparing a show for The Andrews Sisters and pin-up girl Peggy Jones.  We get to know each individually when suddenly news arrives that the show will have to be canceled as The Andrews Sisters have been quarantined and will not be there to entertain.  All seems lost when the idea is planted that the three guys, who have seen The Andrews Sisters perform many times, can just put on their costumes and go on in The Andrews Sisters place.  What ensues is a second act that is the USO show with the three men doing The Andrews Sisters act.  The laughter doesn’t stop from this point on as the show must go on and does – hilariously. 

It is hard to imagine a better cast.  The four here are a continual delight to watch.  All 27 songs are sung well with the appropriate style.  Stan Chandler is very funny as the near sighted Lawrence.  David Engel, a Music Theatre West favorite, entertains as the flat footed Max.  Larry Raben gets all the laughs possible as the asthmatic Patrick.  Darcie Roberts reminded me of Rosemary Clooney when she torches the theatre with “I Wanna Be Loved” as Peggy the pin-up girl.  The four harmonize seamlessly and will remind you of groups from the 1940s.  Musical Theatre West continues to give us quality theatre for a reasonable price.

This show you will have you jumpin’ and jivin’ on home to dust off your 78s of songs from this era, remembering the days when you drank rum and coca cola, and reminisce about sitting under that apple tree.  It’s a show that ac-cent-tchu-ates the positive and eliminates the negative.  So relax, hold tight, and let this cast take you not to China on a slow boat, but back in time to a USO show.  It’s a fun-filled two and a half hours you won’t regret spending in the theatre.  - Larry Blake