More Top Picks Reading Comprehension Strategies For Kids Who Decode Well
player ready...Now that it’s summer, people may think of songs such as “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.”
That tune and many more classic pop hits will be part of Canterbury Summer Theatre’s production of the musical “The Bikinis” from June 20-30 at Canterbury Theatre in the Uptown Arts District of Michigan City.
“Our audiences love nostalgia particularly the 1960s and 1970s,” said Ray Scott Crawford, director of “The Bikinis,” via phone from the Chicago home of David Graham, associate artistic director of Canterbury Summer Theatre.
“They really like the jukebox show that goes back to that time and this is a new one. It’s a good time to do it. It’s four girls singing all the songs from the ’60s and ’70s.”
Written by Ray Roderick and James Hindman with musical arrangements by Joe Baker and additional music and lyrics by Baker and Roderick, “The Bikinis” features songs such as “It’s Raining Men,” “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and “Under the Boardwalk.”
“It’s a girl group. They’re from the Jersey Shore beach area and they won a talent contest in the ’60s singing. They got their name because they performed in their bikinis. That was their trademark,” Crawford said.
“They no longer wear bikinis to perform. They’re putting on a benefit because a developer is about to destroy the boardwalk on the beach to put up a bunch of condos. They’re having a concert to benefit the Shady Shores RV Resort so that’s why they’re back together to sing their songs.
“They tell their story and relive their story of when they won the talent contest.”
Ariya Hawkins, who is staying with family in Michigan City for the summer, is among the cast of four, which also includes Annie Barker, Rosa Campbell and Kailin Vannatter.
“They’re all very individual. Sometimes you see these things and all the girls are kind of the same, not in voices but just in size and shape and personality. These girls are all very different,” said Crawford, who has been artistic director of Canterbury Summer Theatre for 33 years.
He started with what is billed as one of the Midwest’s oldest professional summer companies in 1982 and now is part of the 50th anniversary season of Canterbury Summer Theatre, which is produced under the auspices of the Canterbury Guild.
“I’ve known people that were there from the very beginning,” said Crawford, who also directs the season-closing comedy “A Texas Romance,” which premieres at Canterbury Theatre from Aug. 2-4, before continuing on to performances at Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana.
“It’s a really incredible thing for an organization especially in the economy that the country’s had and that Michigan City has had over the past years. It’s an amazing feat for an organization like Canterbury to stay together and continue to produce theater for the community.”
The crew for “The Bikinis” includes Michael Rogers on scenic design, Adam Whisman on lighting design, Lari Leber on costuming and Olivia Buller as production stage manager.
“If people like the music from the ’60s and ’70s they’re going to enjoy the show because it has a plot to it but it’s mostly about the music,” said Crawford, who is also dean of performing arts and communication and director of theater at Bossier Parish Community College.
“It’s going to be very fun.”
‘The Bikinis’
When: 2 p.m. June 20-21 and 27-28; 7:30 p.m. June 22 and 29; 6:30 p.m. June 23 and 30
Where: Canterbury Theatre, 807 Franklin St., Michigan City
Tickets: $16 Wednesdays-Thursdays; $17 Fridays-Saturdays
More Top Picks Best Reading Lamps For Low Vision
Information: 219-874-4269; www.canterburytheatre.org