‘Red, Hot & Blue’
Cleveland production is a rousing revue of American music
A rousing revue of American music presented by some of Cleveland, Tenn.’s top talent will help the Allied Arts Council of Cleveland celebrate its 25th anniversary.
“Red, Hot & Blue” opens tonight, Feb. 22, for three performances at Cleveland State Community College. The cast of more than two dozen singers and dancers will re-create film and stage moments from musicals spanning five decades.
“This theater production is actually a production I first put together when the Museum Center at Five Points opened,” says director Connie Gatlin. “One of the activities then was an exhibit from the Smithsonian called ‘Red, Hot & Blue.’ I thought it was an excellent opportunity for a great theater production, and it sold out six evenings in 2001.”
Gatlin says she thought a revival of the same production would add to the celebration of the Allied Arts Council’s silver anniversary.
“It pulls from film music, theater music, pieces from each of the war eras. We have it broken into sections that help reveal American spirit, American character, along with a section of love songs,” she describes.
The cast includes Jonathan Cantrell, Kevin Roberts, Tony Pharr, David Clark, Tony Mattace, Scott Chism, Fred Carder, Dustin Roberts, Scott Griffith, Lisa Geren, Nancy Casson and Jeanne Sawyer.
Also, Kathy Karnes, Phyllis Altopp, Danielle Calfee, Sabrina Calfee, Lisa Gates Cote, Tammy Bentley, Tammy Ashton, Judy Robinson and Kylie Kidd.
Two special guests joining the cast are Greg Glover, WRCB-TV 3 anchor, and Jeremi Richardson.
Richardson appeared in the first show 17 years ago, says Gatlin. He is a worship leader in Colorado now, and he and his wife are half of Avalon, the contemporary Christian quartet.
Kyle Elrod is musical director and accompanist for “Red, Hot & Blue”; choreography is by Dani Clark.
Tickets for the performances are on sale at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, or call 423-472-6587.