Back in the Groove
a musical revue of the 1960’s
written for the Lights ‘n Shadows performers
by Anna Barker

About the Play: Written and produced in 2003, this lively musical revue is designed for a large group of performers with varying disabilities; and singing, dancing and speaking ability. The Shadows, (performers without disabilities) played Studio Crew, giving them the chance to be in and out, helping, singing along, etc. )

Characters:
Dick Clark
Marvin Moon
Charles
Taffy
The Beatles
Petula Clark
Rollie
Mojean
James Brown, and backup Dancers
The Chiffons
Betty
Gidget
The Beach Boys
Otis Redding
John
Mary
The Mamas and the Papas
Sonny and Cher
Connie Francis
Iggy
Izzy
Louis Armstrong
The Temptations
The Dance Team
The Studio Audience—flexible #
The Shadows, portraying the TV Studio Crew

Note on music: For the guest artist performances, (/Beatles, Connie Francis, Otis Redding, etc) we used the karaoke versions of the songs, so our talented singers could shine. For the dances, exit/enter music and intermission, we used the original songs, with permission. The CD set that can be purchased separately contains both.

The Scenes:
Act I, Scene 1, British Night
Act I, Scene 2, Motown Night
Act I, Scene 3, Beach Night
INTERMISSION
Act II, Scene 1, All-American Night
Act II, Scene 2, The Finale

The Set: A large stage with seats for the on-stage Studio Audience. One of the upstage curtains should open and close for the Guest Artists to enter/exit. Stage props are an applause meter for the dance competition, cameras and microphones to indicate the American Bandstand ambiance.

At curtain rise: Studio Audience already seated, cheering and grooving as the American Bandstand Theme Plays. Upstage curtain opens to reveal Dick Clark & Marvin Moon, his comic sidekick. Dick is dressed throughout the show in a tux, but Marvin wears something new and different for each scene.
Marvin carries an “Applause” sign which he holds up at both appropriate and inappropriate times.
MARVIN MOON: Hello everyone and welcome to “Back in the Groove”! Here’s our host Dick Clark!
(Dick enters to great applause)
DICK CLARK: Wow! Thanks for the applause! Oh boy! Do we have a night planned for you!!! (Marvin holds up applause sign) We begin our Groove tonight with British Night, so get your tea and crumpets my kings and queens because we have the Beatles! as our first Guest Artists. (audience screams)
MARVIN MOON: Here to introduce them are two Carnaby Street teens Charles and Taffy. (Dick and Marvin move right as thunderous applause/screams. Taffy & Charles enter with dialog)

CHARLES: Yes they’re here-all the way from Liverpool, those popular boys….
TAFFY: bring out the Beatles!!

(Taffy & Charles to left. Beatles Enter: Ringo back center, Paul & John front, George right-Audience girls scream)
Music: “I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND”

Beatles sing and everyone on stage holds hands
Music stops and Beatles exit. Charles & Taffy, Dick & Marvin to center

DICK CLARK: Wow, that was great!
MARVIN: Blimey, sure was bloke!
STUDIO AUDIENCE: (groans) Oh, Marvin
DICK CLARK: OK, that’s enough. Now, our Brit teens, Taffy and Charles will introduce the dancers.

(Taffy & Charles between Dick & Marvin, use real first names of dance couples; any number of couples can be used. Dancers have numbers on their backs)

TAFFY: COUPLE #1 (Applause sign up/all applaud)
CHARLES: COUPLE #2 (Applause sign up/all applaud)
TAFFY: COUPLE #3 (Applause sign up/all applaud)
CHARLES: COUPLE #4 (Applause sign up/all applaud)
TAFFY: COUPLE #5 (Applause sign up/all applaud)
DICK CLARK: Tonight’s first dance number is “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones!!

(Dick & Charles left -- Taffy & Marvin, right)
Music-SATISFACTION
(Dance Team dances. Dick, Marvin, Taffy & Charles back to center. Shadow by each couple to hold hand over them during applause. Meter is operated from behind, and indicates correct winning couple)

About the Playwright:
Back in the Groove is the third play Anna has co-produced with VSAarts/Virginia—Virginia Beach. It is her second big hit as a playwright. She is the parent of two adult sons, Vince and Paul, and has been active with Very Special Arts since 1985 when she became a volunteer with the Children’s Festival. Her oldest son, Vince Barker has starred in every production since 1995. He played the role of Iggy in Back in the Groove.
When Vince graduated from Princess Anne High, Anna became personally aware of the need for Theatre Activities for the Adult Community. That’s when she partnered with Nancy Norton and Kathleen Lockwood to form the Light’s ‘n Shadows Performers, and the rest is history.