Sweat, Tears and Jazz Hands: The Official History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee

by Mike Weaver

Overview

(Book). Featuring more than 100 competitive show choirs from around the United States in photos, quotations, and stories, this edutainment-style book details the pop culture and theater influences that, over time, built this unique entertainment genre into the mecca of music lovers that it is today. Read real-life accounts of show choir performers, directors, and choreographers. Catch a glimpse into a once practically unknown society of "swing choirs." Discover what P. T. Barnum, Bob Fosse, speakeasies, cigarette companies, the modern-day blender, and Lady Gaga all have to do with this glitter-drenched community of singers and dancers. Take a step beyond the hit show Glee and learn about the real drama, the hard work, the sweat, and the tears. Find out what it takes to build an award-winning competition set; the branding, the budgets, the strategy and the performance. Meet the characters. Learn the lingo. Fall in love with show choirs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557837721
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mike Weaver (Chicago, IL) is an award-winning director and choreographer based in Chicago. Credits include work with Carnival Cruise Lines, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: Marine World Africa USA, and Warner Bros. Publishing. Weaver regularly collaborates with some of the country's most noted high school music departments, staging concerts and musical theater productions. His work has garnered awards for best directing; choreography; and lighting, set, and show design. He has been the recipient of numerous awards for his continuing innovations in show choir. Colleen Hart (Chicago, IL) a former eight-year member of E.T.C. The All Americans in Akron, Ohio, graduated from her real-life Glee in 2001. After stepping down from the stage, Colleen went on to earn a BS in communication at Ohio University. This is her first book.