Western-Star.com

There are many reasons why Heidi Schiller approached the Fairfield Footlighters about producing "Swingtime Canteen."

"It's absolutely some of the best '40s music," she said, "some of the best-known songs of the era."

But the deal-clincher is that because our nation is currently at war again, it's also a reminder of the sacrifices we all make, and a show like this offers a chance to pay tribute to those fighting overseas.

To that end, the Fairfield Footlighters are offering two free tickets to any active military personnel or active military reservists who agree to attend a performance in uniform to help lend an air of authenticity to the audience.

"We often talk about how the generation that fought World War II was 'the best generation,' " Schiller said, "and there's the same kind of sentiment about how we value our soldiers who are in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"Swingtime Canteen" is a musical production featuring a USO show to the troops in London during 1944. When MGM decides to put movie legend Marian Ames out to pasture, she gathers her instrument-playing gal pals from the Hollywood Canteen to entertain the troops.

Her show is a rip-roaring canteen extravaganza that features five archetypal film characters from the 1940s singing more than 30 vintage classics. Laughs, emotional fireworks and air raids punctuate this hilarious and heartwarming musical.

The production features Michelle Lewis, Jennifer Drake, Kelley Flaugher, Kim Newcomer and Lindsay Miller as the singers, with a band made up of members of the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra and the Klaberheads Band.

how to go

WHAT: "Swingtime Canteen"

WHERE: Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield

WHEN: May 15-18

COST: $12 adults; $10 seniors/students

MORE INFO: (513) 867-5348; www.fairfield-footlighters.org

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