NEW ORLEANS (September 20, 2012) — They called him "The Wildest" and "The King of Swing." His band and stage performances were like no others. And October 5 through November 24, 2012, The National WWII Museum's Stage Door Canteen brings it all back in a new original show celebrating a unique New Orleans talent who made an incomparable contribution to popular music and stagecraft.
"His music cooks and it's been an incredible journey researching this legend. He did it all, played, sang, danced — even Elvis attributed his famous moves to Prima," said Victoria Reed, show co-creator and entertainment director for The National WWII Museum.
"Jump, Jive & Wail: The Music of Louis Prima" features a cast of ten who bring to life these legendary songs, musicians, vocals and dance, with the non-stop energy that kept audiences cheering from New Orleans to New York and Las Vegas to network television. Co-created for the Stage Door Canteen by Entertainment Director Victoria Reed and Musical Director Tom Hook, the spectacular cast includes many of New Orleans' most talented musicians who also provide spirited vocals and some of the show-stopping choreography Prima's band was known for, as well as swing dancers and a female vocalist.
The Cast:
Eric Bernhardt (Saxophone/Vocals), Adam Bock (Guitar/Vocals), Chance Bushman (Dancer), Lisa Casper (Dancer), Geoff Clapp (Drums/Vocals), Jay Hagen (Trumpet/Vocals), Tom Hook (Bandleader / Piano / Vocals), Cristina Perez (Vocalist), David Phy (Trombone/Vocals) and Pete Rozé (Bass/Vocals).
"Victoria Reed gets it right! Her production and super talented cast of 'Jump Jive & Wail: The Music of Louis Prima' would certainly make my dad smile! I'm so proud to be a part of it," said Lena Prima, who consulted with Reed on the show's development.
"Jump, Jive & Wail" will feature such timeless Prima classics as Sing! Sing! Sing!, Just A Gigolo, Oh Marie, That Old Black Magic and Basin Street Blues. To reserve tickets please visit www.stagedoorcanteen.org or call 504-528-1943. Performances include Friday and Saturday evenings, with a dinner option, and Sunday brunch matinees by Chef John Besh and the American Sector restaurant.
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world — why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-527-6012 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter at WWIImuseum or visit our Facebook fan page.