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The Boswell Sisters by The Globe Theatres 
From their start in the late 1920s to their disbandment in 1935, The Boswell Sisters were one of the hottest musical acts around. Stormy Weather and Alexander's Ragtime Band are a couple of their hits you may have heard (though probably performed by someone else). Their unique, groundbreaking style became known as "the Boswell Sound." It was hip, bluesy, and full of personality and light-hearted fun (such as playfully doing some of the instrumental sounds with their voices) -- all of which helped to draw people of the Great Depression to their music. Their innovations to music was a huge influence on such jazz greats as Ella Fitzgerald and continue to impact artists to this day.
But who are they??? The Boswell Sisters world premiere, currently playing at The Old Globe, gives us a peek at who they are, but just a peek, and an imaginary one at that. The setting of the play is purely fictional. They reunite at eldest sister Martha's (Amy Pietz) house in Louisiana, where they mostly grew up and got their start in show business. They come back together at the request of Middle sister Connee (Elizabeth Ward Land), who continued to have a solo career after the breakup, in spite of a debilitating childhood accident that confined her mostly to a wheelchair (a fact that they always did their best to cover up). Connee wants them to go on stage with her for a March of Dimes benefit concert. Martha and youngest sister Vet (Michelle Duffy) are a little reluctant, not having sung for years, but agree to do it for Connee. What follows is about twenty songs broken up with small talk that reveals little glimpses into their past careers and their individual personalities. Unfortunately the glimpses are small and incomplete, just enough to get a brief sketch of their history, a clue as to why they broke up, and a vague notion of their different personalities. Vet is the most fully developed, as she was the one that the writers of the play actually talked with and gained most of their insights from. But as a play about the sisters themselves, the show comes up a little short.  Where the show comes up big is in the rendition of that "Boswell Sound." Amy Pietz, Elizabeth Ward Land, and Michelle Duffy are all extraordinary vocalists who handle the dynamic and intricate Boswell rhythms with a naturalness, beauty, and pizzazz that does the original sisters justice. Besides blending together with such lovely harmony, each also shines in their solo performances, which may have been the three best numbers of the night.
And included in your price of admission is a little vocal training. You, too, can do "the Boswell Sound" in just one easy lesson. And although the audience wasn't quite as gifted as the three cast members, the cast did manage to get virtually all of us participating and trying our darndest to sound like Martha, Connee, and Vet. Of course, if you feel one lesson just wasn't enough, you can practice more on your own by buying a CD of The Boswell Sisters from the gift shop at the Globe and singing along in your car. (Click to hear me singing along to the Boswell CD.) Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill For more information on The Boswell Sisters, please try these links: AMG's Biography Audio interview with Boswell experts/reenacters ~ Cast ~
Vet: Michelle Duffy Connee: Elizabeth Ward Land Martha: Amy Pietz Director: Stuart Ross Musical Supervision: Brad Ellis Scenic and Projection Design: James Youmans Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward Lighting Design: David F. Segal Sound Design: Paul Peterson |