Strike Up the Band

Just got up a fun production of Gershwin and Kaufman's "Stike Up the Band" (1927). I directed it and did much of the choreography (as did Alex Hsu). It's getting great reviews!

http://www.theaterdogs.net/2011/04/10/moon-strikes-up-a-triumphant-band/

“I’ve seen a lot of 42nd Street Moon shows over the years, but I’ve rarely seen one as exuberant, funny, beautifully sung and as hugely enjoyable as Strike Up the Band. Everything about Zack Thomas Wilde’s production is top notch, from the extraordinarily sharp book by George S. Kaufman and the immediately appealing score by George and Ira Gershwin to the terrific cast...”

“...Even the choreography...has exactly the right sense of humor. The squatting and bouncing of “The Unofficial Spokesman” provides hilarious accompaniment to a government man’s... ]nonsensical no-position position...”

http://www.sfexaminer.com/print/entertainment/theater/2011/04/all-s-fair-war-and-cheese-strike-band

“...directed with finesse by Zack Thomas Wilde and concisely choreographed on the compact Eureka Theatre stage.”

http://kedaradourforallevents.blogspot.com/2011/04/strike-up-band-at-42nd-street-smash-hit.html

“STRIKE UP THE BAND AT 42^ND STREET A SMASH HIT

Strike up the band for 42^nd Street Moon’s latest production at the Eureka Theatre that surely will play to full houses for the remainder of its run. They have come a long way baby in the 18 (?) years since they began mounting with script-in-hands musicals from yester year. This is the best 42^nd Street production I have seen and a great 15 member professional cast (including 6 Equity members) of this 1927 mad-cap musical, Strike Up the Band, has enough exuberance for the entire season...”

“...The fun starts immediately with the full cast singing and dancing the opening number to “Fletcher’s American Cheese Choral Society...”

“...This Strike Up the Band is an ensemble gem and will surely be a sell out. Advice: Order your tickets now.”

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/sanfran/

“A Slam Bang Production of the Gershwins' Strike up the Band “

“42nd Street Moon recently presented a captivating production with a wonderful multi-talented cast of young singers and dancers. Direction by Zack Thomas Wilde was suave and fast paced...”

“Wilde knows the best farce is played earnestly and these talented actors never condescended to their roles. Even in a performance that is a deliberate evocation of a late 1920s style, it felt like it had just been written.”

http://www.starkinsider.com/2011/04/strike-up-the-band-another-winner-from-the-san-francisco-company-that-knows-how.html

by Gregory M. Alonzo:

“'Strike up the Band' another winner from the San Francisco Company that knows how!

“...Perhaps the original version would have been a hit if a company as skilled as 42nd Street Moon had produced it. Their trademark brisk pacing, wonderful staging, and palpable elation never fail to bring a silly grin to one’s face. And they have an uncanny ability to enliven vintage material with a relevance and immediacy that belies its age...”

“...The dramatic baritone possesses a resonant vocal timbre, and he recites the snappy dialogue and one-liners with alacrity-as does the entire cast...”

“...This wonderful production once again demonstrates the depth of talent and creativity that one has come to expect when visiting the Eureka Theatre in San Francisco...”

George Heymont's My Cultural Landscape, by George Heymont:

“...The show has been crisply directed by Zack Thomas Wilde with some of the company's most adventursome choreography to date...”