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By Theodore P. MahneStaff writer

It’s not an exhibit on newly declassified information on the Manhattan Proj-ect, but they’re confound-ing the laws of physics and thermodynamics at the National World War II Museum this month. With

“Jump, Jive and Wail,” the per-formers at the Stage Door Can-teen are staging both the hottest and the coolest show in town. This original tribute program to the life and music of Louis Prima is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping ball of energy that guarantees to have audiences dancing in the aisles.

The show captures all the swinging fun, saucy suggestive-ness, and wild musical ride of the original Louis Prima act.

Born in New Orleans, Prima created a unique sound blending his native jazz and blues with the Italian street songs of his Sicil-ian heritage, and backing it all up with a brass-heavy, swinging Big Band. The result would shoot him to national stardom. From French Quarter clubs, he would eventu-ally head west where he was soon dubbed “King of Las Vegas.”

At the Stage Door Canteen, bandleader and pianist Tom Hook completely embodies Prima, with a fiery keyboard technique, and high-energy vocals. An underly-ing twinkle in the eye gives Hook an immediate rapport with the audience, bringing everyone in for the fun.

Through a rousing lineup of Prima’s hits, Hook and his ensem-ble tell the story of his life: a young cornet player growing up in New Orleans, being discovered in a Quarter club by Guy Lom-bardo, heading to New York and eventually conquering Vegas, his tumultuous marriage and musical partnership with Keely Smith. It is a rollicking ride.

In addition to the title number, all the expected hits are here, played with an inviting energy that compels the audience to sing along, such as with “Angelina” or “Buona Sera.”

Cristina Perez takes the role

of the girl singer in front of the band and does so with the casual hint of ennui that made Smith the quieter but sturdy flower to Prima’s animated buzzing bee. With a coy deadpan, Perez plays well off of Hook’s double-enten-dre humor. And vocally, she is a knockout, highlighted especially when things slow down and soft-en. Perez’ rendition of “A Sunday Kind of Love” is a gem that rivals Jo Stafford’s original recording.

Prima’s act rarely slowed down, however, nor does Hook and his band. Spirited renditions of “When the Saints Go March-ing In,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Basin Street Blues,” and the inimitable “That Old Black Magic” and “Just a Gigolo” are tireless and timeless.

Each highlights the band that Hook has assembled, an engaging powerhouse ensemble of soloists. The dynamic brass line drives the show with vivid force. Jay Hagen blows a trumpet to rival Gabriel, and David Phy’s trombone sounds like a big band unto itself. But

it’s Eric Bernhardt who leaps to the fore (quite literally) on saxo-phone, fittingly capturing both

the vigorous sound and person-ality that legendary Sam Butera brought to Prima’s Vegas shows. Guitarist Adam Bock, Geoff Clapp on drums, and Pete Roze on bass, round out the ensemble.

Dancers Lisa Casper and Chance Bushman take to the stage with a kinetic performance, featuring swinging moves, col-orful costumes and an attitude of exuberance. Their dancing is likely to inspire a few couples in the audience to take to the floor themselves.

“Jump, Jive and Wail” is an original work created by the artistic staff at the Stage Door Canteen, under the guidance of Entertainment Director Victoria Reed. Sharply executed, it is wor-thy of a national tour.

In the cool, cool, cool of the eve-ning, don’t miss this sizzling hot show. It will leave you in the mood to “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

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Theodore P. Mahne is a contributor to The Times-Picayune.

The New Orleanian’s swinging sound comes to life in tribute showT H E A R T S

EYE ONTHE ARTS

Theater plaza named for Norman Triegle

Outside the theater that he helped open in 1973, the city of New Orleans honored legendary opera star Norman Treigle on Oct. 12, naming the plaza outside the opera house for the New Orleans-born singer. Norman Treigle Plaza, located directly in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Perform-ing Arts, was dedicated as another international star prepared to take to the stage inside: Placido Domingo. In his youth, Domingo often co-starred with Treigle in productions at the New York City Opera. Domingo was kicking off the New Orleans Opera Association’s season with a star-studded gala concert, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first appearance in New Orleans. In dedicating the plaza, Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said that from a city of music, Treigle was the “greatest opera singer that this city has ever produced.” She added that the classical music and operatic history of the city is as important as its heritage in jazz or blues, not-ing that Treigle Plaza fittingly sits between the “gospel of Mahalia Jackson and the jazz of Louis Armstrong,” referring to both the theater’s name-sake and the nearby statue within Armstrong Park. Be-fore the gathered crowd of about 250 people, conductor Robert Lyall, general director of the New Orleans Opera, also noted the importance of opera’s heritage in the city, saying “Today, we are the protectors of that legacy.” Among those in attendance at the ceremony was Treigle’s daughter, soprano Phyllis Treigle; Audrey Schuh Redmann, the New Orleans-born soprano who appeared often onstage opposite Treigle and also was a star of the New York City Opera; and Brian Morgan, author of Treigle’s biography, “Strange Child of Chaos.”

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Eye on the Arts is dedicated to visual and performing arts.Send arts-related news to lagniappe@nola.com

JUMP, JIVE AND WAIL: THE MUSIC OF LOUIS PRIMA

What: The National World War II Museum presents a tribute show to Louis Prima, the New Orleans-born

entertainer who conquered Las Vegas through the 1950s and ’60s.

Bandleader Tom Hook and singer Cristina Perez lead the ensemble.

Where: Stage Door Canteen, National World War II Museum,

945 Magazine St., 529.1944. When: Performances at 8 Fridays

through Saturdays and at 1 Sundays through Nov. 24. (No performances Oct. 20, Nov. 11 or Nov. 17.) A pre-

show dinner also is available featuring Italian favorites from Chef John Besh’s

American Sector restaurant. Tickets: $30 for show only;

$45-$60 including dinner or brunch. For information,

visit www.nationalww2museum.org/

primo prima

THE NATIONAL WOrLD WAr II MuSEuM

'Jump, Jive & Wail: The Music of Louis Prima' features Tom Hook, bandleader, pianist and vocalist, and Cristina Perez, vocalist, at the National World War II Museum.