‘In the Mood’ celebrates big-band era songs at Quality Hill Playhouse

Quality Hill Playhouse producing artistic director J. Kent Barnhart channels his inner Glenn Miller/Tommy Dorsey/Benny Goodman to create an illusion of the big-band era of the 1930s and '40s for “In the Mood: Songs of the Great Band Leaders,” the latest offering in this season's theme of Century of the Songbook.

To help capture that big-band feel, Barnhart has added talented reeds player Matt Baldwin, who alternates between clarinet and saxophone, sometimes on the same song. Rounding out the outstanding instrumental quartet are drummer Ken Remmert and bassist Brian Wilson, with Barnhart on piano.

Quality Hill’s signature harmonies are perfected with a quartet of vocalists: newcomer Taylor Avazpour, a native of the Kansas City area, along with Quality Hill veterans Lauren Braton, Melinda MacDonald and Tim Noland.

It’s a high-energy show, interspersing lively tunes like “Rhythm Is Our Business” with ballads full of heartache and lost love. The arrangements feature more instrumental interludes than in a regular Quality Hill revue, adding to that Big Band/swing music feel.

Every single song in the show is a polished gem. Some do stand out as personal favorites and crowd-pleasers. Noland's smooth tenor combined with the poignant sound of Baldwin’s clarinet takes the wistful “Star Dust” to a new level. It’s one of the most beautiful, and saddest, tunes ever written.

Baldwin's clarinet turns sultry on “Serenade in Blue.” So does Braton, who ends up singing sitting atop the piano, as she infuses what could be a tale of lost love with a sexy longing. MacDonald follows with a lush version of “Don’t Blame Me” while Avazpour pours emotion into the mournful “I’ll Never Smile Again.”

All four harmonize on the livelier “Satin Doll,” “Route 66” and “It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)” with great solos and ensemble playing by Remmert, Wilson and Baldwin — and Barnhart, of course, on the piano.

The second act opens with an instrumental number, “Take Five,” made famous by Dave Brubeck. MacDonald has fun with the Gershwin tune,”Slap That Bass,” and Wilson gets the chance to show off his talent on said instrument.

Remmert, an accomplished drummer (and actor on other Kansas City stages) adds the train whistle to his repertoire on the rousing “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

Avazpour hits the high notes (both literally and figuratively) on “And the Angels Sing” while Braton keeps the audience spellbound with “Moonlight Serenade.” Noland lightens the mood with “(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo.”

Emcee Barnhart does his usual patter with the audience, explaining the history of the songs. Keeping all the band leaders straight gets a bit confusing (this is before my time) and it's understandable as many songs were recorded by a number of bands. “Ain't Misbehavin’” was three of the top 10 most popular songs of 1929 because of multiple recordings.

The show ends, appropriately enough, with “In the Mood,” and a standing ovation at Saturday evening's performance.

John Story’s sound design is beautifully done, with the perfect balance between singers and instrumentalists. Costume designer Georgianna Londre Buchanan evokes the 1940s with the elegant evening gowns worn by Braton and MacDonald. Their hairstyles, reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters, are straight out of the ‘40s as well.

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "‘In the Mood’ celebrates big-band era songs at Quality Hill Playhouse."