Spotlight Series presents 'G.I. Jukebox: A Stage Door Canteen'

MARSHFIELD – During WWII, Hollywood stars and starlets made it their duty to entertain “the boys.” Spotlight Series presents “G.I. Jukebox - A Stage Door Canteen,” a musical revue that celebrates the music the 1940s, in the Helen Laird Theatre at UW-Marshfield/Wood County, 2000 W. 5^th St.

This musical review will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, Jan. 25 & 26; and Feb. 1 & 2.  A dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, prior to performance.  Tickets for the performance only are $12.  Tickets for the dinner and performance are $29.

G.I. Jukebox is a musical retrospective of an America we will never see again. The production is being produced by Jeannie Pitsch, director, and Donna Thompson, music director. Local actors/vocalists Matt Thompson, Ryan Lepak and sisters Jessica Kramer and Kristi Kubs will perform some of the best music of the 20^th Century, which spans Big Band, Swing and Latin.  The cast began rehearsing in November.  Instead of singing Christmas carols, the foursome spent the holidays re-living musical history.

“The music is in a style that’s very different from what we’re used to hearing today,” said Kristi Kubs, Marshfield. “The chord structure and harmonies are much more challenging.”

“But it’s a lot of fun,” said Jessica Kramer, Kubs’ younger sister.  Kramer’s quick to point out, however, that as soprano of the quartet, she usually has the melody. “The grinding harmonies are really in the alto and tenor lines.  So I luck out!”

The two sisters grew up listening to music from the 1940s and 1950s.  Their father, Denny Kramer, Marshfield Senior High School band director, is “really into music from that era,” said Jessica Kramer.

“We grew up listening to The Rat Pack, Bing Crosby – all the greats,” she said. “After hearing that style of music so often, it’s really fun to be able to sing it.”

Aside from school and church choirs, the two sisters haven’t sung together they said.

“It’s a new experience for us,” Kramer said. “It has been a lot of fun.  Since we’re singing, we’re ignoring the things about each other that irritate us and we goof around a lot.  Of course, that’s all Kristi’s fault.”

“Actually, it’s Jessica’s fault,” Kubs counters. “She’s the instigator.  I’m sure we’re driving Jeannie and Donna crazy.”

Far from it says Pitsch.

“Kristi and Jessica have been a delight to work with, as have Matt and Ryan,” she said. “They’re all so talented, that directing them hasn’t been that much of a challenge.  The biggest challenge so far has been trying to find a 48-star flag!”

Tickets for “G.I. Jukebox – A Stage Door Canteen” are available at the Campus Box Office.  During Winter Break the Box Office is open on Mondays only from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  On Jan. 21, regular box office hours of 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performances resume.  To order tickets, call 715-389-6534.  VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.