Production of Song of Singapore musical

With Carol Patterson, Mimi Hart, Stephen Kropf, and Paula Lockheart, we are raising funds to stage the musical Song of Singapore in Athens at the Southeast Ohio History Center on March 3, 4, 5, 6, 2022.  Athens resident Paula Lockheart and three friends wrote Song of Singapore  while living in New York during the late 80s, and it has been performed to glowing reviews in London, New York, Chicago, Cleveland and many more locations. When Paula moved back to Athens 5 years ago her local friends began to consider how to bring this brilliant piece of environmental theater to the stage in Athens. It has been a winding road, but we are very close to making it happen.

 

The scene is a seedy Singapore bar in the early days of World War II when the Japanese are sweeping across the South Pacific. A beautiful young woman has washed up on the shore with amnesia, no memory of who she is or how she got there, but man can she sing! To survive she takes a job at Freddie's Song of Singapore Café, a place loaded with crooked cops, jewel thieves, and a hot swing band. As the plot unfolds the audience realizes that they are part of the action as patrons of the club; cocktail waitresses circulate, drinks and food are served, and the hep cats in the swing band punch out original 40's style swing tunes that propel the action to a hilarious surprise ending.

 

“A madcap audience involving frolic” - THE NEW YORK TIMES

“The music couldn't be better” - VARIETY

“A gorgeous Spectacle ... Theater goers of the world delight”- TIME MAGAZINE

“Pastiche, parody and put on – and a good deal of fun” - NEW YORK MAGAZINE

“Has been attracting packed houses...and rave reviews from virtually every major critic” - CHICAGO TRIBUNE

 

For this production we are fortunate to have secured the Southeast Ohio History Center, an historic building in its own right. The large, open interior will be transformed into Freddie's Song of Singapore Cafe, and the audience will be seated in the club. The club's Swing Band will be populated with veteran local musicians who, along with Director David Tadlock and with experienced actors, bring a high degree of professionalism to this project.

Funds will be used to make minor adaptations to the History Center to support a theatrical production, such as adding temporary electrical capacity for lights, and set construction that will be left with the center so that it can continue to be used for dramatic events. Stage lights and sound equipment will of course need to be rented. And most importantly, nearly all of the performers and musicians have been without work for most of the past two years due to Covid, so we are determined to make sure they are paid for this event. Song of Singapore will be presented on March 3, 4, 5, 6 2022, so ideally funds need to be raised by January 1, but donations will be accepted right on through the production.

Athens Movable Theater, a 501c3 non profit, is the fiduciary organization handling all funds, so donations are tax deductible. If you want to receive a receipt for tax purposes please make sure to give us your email by contacting Carol Paterson.  Also, contact Carol for exciting sponsorship and Playbill advertising opportunities.  

 

We are asking for your help to bring this one-of-a-kind, up-lifting theatrical masterpiece to our community. 


SONG OF SINGAPORE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Book by Alan Katz with Erik Frandsen, Robert Hipkens, Michael Garin and Paula Lockheart
Music and Lyrics by Erik Frandsen, Robert Hipkens, Michael Garin and Paula Lockheart