“DRUMLine Live” reviewed by Amy Menzel

***** Take an HBCU halftime performance, add a dash of history, a heavy dose of humor, put it all together on a Broadway-sized stage, and you’ve got yourself DRUMLine Live. Now, if you’ve got a ticket, you’re in for some fun.

The show is 11 scenes, each focused on a cultural aspect that has contributed to the appeal of drumline performance – from the influence of Motown, R&B, and pop music, to the dance, rhythm, and innovation that keeps audiences intrigued, entertained, and in awe. Minimal use of video, as well as minimal use of props (only a set of risers and some chairs are used on stage) allow for maximum use of space by the performers. The performers are exceptional musicians, remarkable dancers, and phenomenal entertainers. They showcase their talents as a way to invite the audience to enjoy the experience. And the audience definitely enjoyed Saturday’s show.

I brought my 15-year-old nephew, a drummer himself. I don’t know how much you know about teenagers. I’ve spent the last two decades of my teaching career with them. Love ‘em…and they’re often too cool for school. They’re usually absolutely too cool to dance in public with their middle-aged, rambunctious (and likely embarrassing) aunt, but my nephew danced along with me and the rest of the house last night. I give him credit, but I think the real credit goes to the cast of the show for making the moves inevitable.

The energy is contagious. And it extended into the theater lobby after the show, before, reluctantly, the audience spilled back out onto the chilly streets of Milwaukee.

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. I’ll start with the bad news first: this was a one-night event at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. The good news: the DRUMLine Live tour continues. There are shows in the Midwest yet this week (Bloomington, IL – 1/8, Marion, IL – 1/9, Evansville, IN – 1/10) and more tour locations and dates can be found at drumlinelive.com.

DRUMLine Live was the first show in this season’s Culture Collective series at the Marcus Center. Information on upcoming shows can be accessed at www.marcuscenter.org/get-tickets/culture-collective.

Finally, a shout-out to the Rufus King High School Varsity drumline for kicking off Saturday’s performance. The current MPS (Milwaukee Public Schools) Battle of the Drumlines champions demonstrated how they’ve earned the title 16 times. Go, Generals!

★★★★★