CASEY UP
TO BAT ON BROADWAY
By Jim Kershner Staff writer
The Spokesman-Review
October 3, 1999
Casey
MacGill, Spokane's own swing-jive king, will soon become Broadway's swing-jive king.
In a career move of
thrilling proportions, MacGill has been cast as one of the major cast members and
musicians of "Swing!" a new Broadway musical revue by the producers of
"Stomp!"
"They made me an offer that I couldn't pass up," said MacGill.
MacGill, the leader of the
fondly remembered Planet Lounge Orchestra and now of Casey MacGill and the Spirits of
Rhythm, will play the role of the band leader in this high-energy revue. He'll strum the
ukulele, blow the cornet and pound the piano in his inimitable style, while fronting a
group of swing musicians and singers.
If that weren't exciting
enough, the show is actually using several of MacGill's own songs from his recent
"Jump" CD as well as his arrangements of several other swing standards.
Meanwhile, he's writing a couple of tunes especially for the show.
This all fell into place
because someone played the "Jump" CD for the show's director, Lynne
Taylor-Corbett, while she was in California. She must have decided that this was the exact
sound she wanted, because before long she had MacGill hopping on a plane to New York to
work on arrangements.
Then after he had been to
New York a couple of times, they offered him a spot on the stage as well. He can still
hardly believe his good fortune.
MacGill left for rehearsals
in New York on Friday. The show, which is expected to be one of the season's major
offerings, opens for previews at the St. James Theatre on Nov. 2 and will have its
official premiere on Dec. 9.
