THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510050219
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
It's Miller time again.
The Outer Banks Big Band Preservation Society brings the Glenn Miller Orchestra to Nags Head Tuesday.
Larry O'Brien is the leader of the 19-member band. This is O'Brien's second stint as director. His first go-round was from 1981-1983; he rejoined in 1988.
Using the original arrangements, O'Brien preserves the Miller magic as he showcases such standards as ``Moonlight Serenade,'' ``Little Brown Jug,'' ``Tuxedo Junction'' and ``In the Mood.''
Miller's signature sound of a clarinet as the lead instrument came about quite by accident. As a young bandleader in the 1930s, Miller knew he wanted ``a sound'' unlike anything that was currently in vogue.
One night, on the eve of a concert, Miller's lead trumpet player split his lip. Miller didn't miss a beat. He sent in his clarinet player to play between the saxophones. A sound was born.
From 1938-42, Miller mesmerized a generation with his flowing arrangements, some his, some by hired hands Bill Finegan and Jerry Gray. And he was versatile. He could segue from a gentle ballad like ``Stardust'' to a rousing rumba song like ``Pennsylvania 6-5000.''
For those four years, he led the biggest band in the land. His music brightened the lives of Americans who were recovering from the ``Great Depression.'' Miller's swing era music kept spirits up even as America stood at the brink of war.
In 1942, with mess lines and lineups for inspection the order of the day, Miller accepted a direct commission as a captain in the Army Air Corps.
Once inducted, Miller assembled the Army Air Corps Orchestra, which gave more than 300 concerts to some 600,000 servicemen and women.
Glenn Miller was lost on Dec. 15, 1944, on a flight from England to France.
But the sound is still around, living through changes in music and politics.
O'Brien, the band leader, calls himself a ``purist.''
``I play it by the book,'' he says. ``And once people hear it, they like it.''
The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays 50 weeks a year. Vocalist Julie Rich recently returned after a few years' layoff.
``You've got to hear her version of 'I Don't Know Why,''' says Big Band Preservation Society president Walter Gray of Nags Head. ``It'll floor you.''
Once upon a time, Lisa and Don Bridge performed adaptations of classic children's fairy and folk tales in the towns of Raleigh and Durham.
But then, the husband and wife team discovered Manteo and the Outer Banks when they won parts in ``The Lost Colony.'' Don has played Old Tom for four seasons. Lisa has played Dame Coleman and Queen Elizabeth I.
Recently, the Bridges moved their 7-year-old ``Little Big Theater Company'' to downtown Manteo. It is a professional adult troupe of performers who entertain pre-school and early elementary age children.
The troupe's first presentation is a Don Bridge adaptation of ``Aesop's Fables.''
``We take a great deal of liberties,'' says Bridge. ``This is 2,000-year-old stuff, but it holds up well.''
The Bridges' presentation is well thought out. The one-act play is preceded by a 15-minute sing-along and game session.
``It works,'' Bridge says. ``By the time the play starts, the kids are ready to settle down.''
Although the adaptation is aimed squarely at the kids, Bridge doesn't leave out the adults.
``The presentation can be enjoyed on different levels,'' he says. ``I definitely put some zingers in the show that only adults will understand.''
At the end of the play, Lisa, Don and fellow trouper Kathy Parrish conduct a question-and-answer session.
The company will present Hans Christian Andersen's ``Rumpelstiltskin'' in November and ``Princess and the Pea'' in December.
Why did the Bridges decide to make Manteo their permanent home?
``The quality of life,'' Bridge says. ``We also really wanted to give the year-round residents some children's theater.'' MEMO: WHAT & WHEN
What: The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Where: Comfort Inn, Milepost 17.
When: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.
For more information: 441-4644.
What: Aesop's Fables
Where: The Waterfront, downtown Manteo.
When: Oct. 14 and 21 at 1 p.m.; also Oct. 18 and 24 at 10 a.m. for
groups. Groups must make reservations.
For more information: 473-3535. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Orchestra leader Larry O'Brien.
by CNB