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OnMilwaukee.com Arts & Entertainment: Summer theater makes a comeback in Milwaukee

Before the term “juke box musical” was coined on Broadway, (think “Mamma Mia,” “Rock of Ages,” “All Shook Up”) Larry Deckel, John Leicht and John Tanner put together a revue of 1950s and ’60s pop-rock tunes for the Milwaukee Rep’s Stackner Cabaret. They called it “Hula Hoop Sha-Boop” and included songs made popular by such Baby Boomer faves as Buddy Holly, Chubby Checker and Lesley Gore.

“Hula Hoop Sha-Boop” made its debut at the Stackner in 1991, and the Rep brought it back four times to satisfy the appetite of adoring audiences. Other productions have been staged in cities as far flung as Provo, Utah and Sarasota, Fla. “Hula Hoop” is coming back to the Stackner again this summer, but under difference auspices.

This time around, it is being mounted by commercial producers with Broadway shows on their resumes. The group includes Judy Hansen, a former Rep board president who chaired last year’s international search for a new artistic director for the company. Hansen is the proud owner of a Tony, an award she received for being one of the producers of the current Broadway revival of “Hair.”

Tony Clements is directing the updated version of “Hula Hoop.” Songs have been added and dropped as the rights to some tunes have changed availability.

The revue opens Aug. 6 and will run for four weeks. Tickets go on sale Monday through the Rep’s box office, (414) 224-9490. milwaukeerep.com.

Excited to be back in my Old Kentucky Home — Actors Theatre of Louisville as a guest during Theatre Professional’s Weekend at the 33rd Annual Humana festival of New American Plays.

Hard to believe I was here as Resident Director and Director of the Apprentice/Intern Company for the 2nd – 11th Festivals! Has that much time gone by?  Louisville still remains one of the great unspoiled gems of a city…  and Impellizzeri’s still makes the BEST pizza in the country!  How I miss living in the Midwest!  (Or is this the South?  Or the East?)  Ahhh KY… you are everywhere at once!

Looking forward to seeing 7 new productions in the next 3 days!

This has been floating around for a year I’m told — but only recently got forwarded to me. Maybe juggling isn’t as popular as it once was… but this is a pretty amazing display. Worth four minutes of your time – particularly if you enjoy the Beatles.

Review of my 50s musical playing through March at Florida Studio Theatre.

‘Hula Hoop’ immerses audience in a teen beat | HeraldTribune.com | Southwest Florida’s Information Leader.