More Swing to be Swung: Louis & Keely Extended Again in L.A.; New CD Offers Hints of Show

By Kenneth Jones
20 Jul 2009

Vanessa Claire Smith and Jake Broder
Vanessa Claire Smith and Jake Broder
Photo by Haven Hartman

The biographical swing musical Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara has been extended for a fourth time, now through Aug. 30 in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

On July 22 a CD featuring songs from the show will be sold at the show's website (louiskeelyshow.com) and to patrons at the Geffen. The new specialty recording is not necessarily a cast album, but features the creator-actors of the show singing some songs from the musical, as well as additional Louis and Keely material.

Created by Jake Broder and Vanessa Claire Smith, who also star as showbiz stars Louis Prima and Keely Smith, respectively, Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara "follows the life and love of Las Vegas' infamous onstage couple."

Helmed by Hollywood director Taylor Hackford, the current production is a revamped version of Broder and Smith's award-winning 2008 show.

It won Best Musical at the Ovation Awards, Best Production at the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, Best Production at the Garland Awards and Musical of the Year at the LA Weekly Theater Awards.

CD art for Louis & Keely: Live at the Sahara
Originally developed by Broder and Smith at the Sacred Fools Theatre Company in June 2008, Louis & Keely has been substantially reworked for its current production at the Geffen. Hackford, who guided the revision process, estimates about 40 percent of the script is different from the original production. This includes the addition of seven new songs: "I Wish You Love," "Hey Boy, Hey Girl," "What is this Thing Called Love," "Night Train," "Ai, Ai, Ai" and "I Can't Believe that You're in Love with Me," as well as new characters.

Nick Cagle and Erin Matthews play various other characters in the couple's story, including Frank Sinatra. In addition to the four actors, Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara features a seven-piece live jazz band that brings down the house as the orchestra for the play as well as Louis Prima's Vegas band The Witnesses. Crystal Keith and Michael Lanahan are understudies.

For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.com.