“Drumline Live!”
Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main streets
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10
COST: $30-$40
More Info: (937) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage. com
DAYTON — They haven’t figured out how to turn a football game into a Broadway musical yet, although there is now a play about National Football League Coach Vince Lombardi on Broadway.
Halftime shows are a more natural fit for the theater and a distinctive example is headed our way.
“Drumline Live!” will be presented for a single performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Schuster Performing Arts Center.
It’s a Victoria Theatre Association “Star Attraction.”
Way more than a halftime show with two acts of brassy music, movement, singing and, eventually, competitive drumming, it showcases the innovations and traditions of marching bands at HBCU — Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
These are bands that move, bands that sometimes have multiple drum majors who are very active, bands that often wear capes and bands with an attitude that extends to their names.
To list a few, the bands include:
The Cheyney State Soulful Sound Band, The Shaw University Platinum Sound,Johnson C. Smith University International Institution of Sound, Delaware State Approaching Storm and Morgan State Magnificent Marching Machine.
The best known in the Dayton area, and one of the few north of the Ohio River, is Central State University Marching Marauders.
Eight of the country’s approximately 50 HBCU marching bands will advance to the finals of the ninth annual Honda Battle of the Bands on Jan. 29 in Atlanta.
The show was inspired by the 2002 movie “Drumline,” starring Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones. Cannon stars as a Harlem street drummer who collides with the tradition-minded band director when he enrolls at a southern college.
“Drumline Live!” has about 40 performers selected from college bands all over the country.
The music ranges from Earth, Wind and Fire, James Brown and Tower of Power to original interpretations of contemporary hip hop and R&B.
The show is meant to appeal to all ages.
There’s no football to watch on Wednesday night anyway, so bring on the band.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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