Classic songs made popular by singers like Frank Sinatra, the Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and many others will ring out from the stage of Draper Amphitheater once again in Draper Arts Council’s “Dancing in the Stars: A Big Band Tribute.” The show will be presented Sept. 12, 13 and 15. 

“We want to transport the audience for a couple of hours to the 1930s or ‘40s,” Riverton Jazz Band leader Lawrence Price said. “Close your eyes and step into our time machine.”

Director Valaura Arnold said, “It makes people feel like they’re at an old nightclub. They can get up and dance under the stars.”

“Dancing in the Stars” features the Riverton Jazz Band along with costumed singers and dancers performing the music of the Big Band era. “It’s the Great American Songbook,” Arnold said, referring to the jazz standards, popular songs and show tunes of the early to mid-twentieth century that remain well-loved today.

Arnold has been involved with the show since it first began about 13 years ago. “I started out as a singer, then started directing,” she explained. “It was simpler when it began. The show has evolved as we have invested more time in rehearsals and choreography.” 

The size of the cast has also grown over the years. “People see the show and decide they want to be a part of it,” Arnold said. 

The music of the Big Band era continues to appeal to musicians and audiences of all ages. “People like to listen to it, dance to it,” Price observed. “It gets you moving, makes you happy.” 

“This will be my second time doing ‘Dancing in the Stars,’” he said. Price has been the music director of the Riverton Jazz Band for four years. A member of the Air Force for over two decades, he played French horn in the Air Force Band. 

He explained that the Riverton Jazz Band often takes a different approach to music than other big bands in the valley. “We always try to add some new arrangements,” Price said, explaining that the band often goes back to the original arrangements of songs or will create their own. 

“Back in the day, the big bands played each other’s music but put their own spin on it,” he said. “We try to re-create that distinctive style. We want to sound like Count Basie or Glenn Miller. The musicians have to be chameleons of sorts.” 

Draper Arts Council presents “Dancing in the Stars” every other year. To keep the program fresh, they add new arrangements and songs to each production.

“We always do songs by the Andrews Sisters,” Arnold said. “But this year we’re adding tunes that few people have heard that we’ve never done.” 

She mentioned some stand-out pieces like “No Moon At All.” “It has a Latin rhythm that switches to swing,” Arnold noted. 

“Deedle’s Blues,” jazz singer Diane Schuur’s signature song, “How About You?” from the show “Babes on Broadway” and Nat King Cole’s “Straighten Up and Fly Right” are other examples of songs that the audience can expect to hear. 

“We’re doing a new arrangement of Cole Porter’s ‘Night and Day,’ the Frank Sinatra version,” Arnold said. “It’s just a powerhouse.” 

“This music just sticks in your heart and soul. You get hooked,” she said, adding, “The band has never sounded this good.”

Price also complimented the musicians and performers who are all from the local community. “They are regular neighborhood folks,” he said. “I can’t believe the talent.” 

“Dancing in the Stars: A Big Band Tribute” will be presented at Draper Amphitheater Sept. 12, 13 and 15. Doors open at 7 p.m., pre-show music starts at 7:30 p.m. and the program begins at 8 p.m. For more information and the link to purchase tickets, visit www.draperutah.gov/events-programs/draper-amphitheater/dancing-in-the-stars-a-big-band-tribute.