Local news: Marshall Keys, W. Ellington Felton in "Swingtime"

By Sarah Godfrey

Two well-known D.C. musicans will appear in the new In Series production, “Swingtime: The Fabulous Forties,” which premieres at H Street’s Atlas Theater this weekend: Famed saxophonist Marshall Keys and MC/singer/poet/actor W. Ellington Felton.

The musical, written and directed by Tom Mallan, tells the story of a group of friends making their way through post-Depression America and exploring the music of the era, everything from be-bop to the early sounds of rock-and roll.

Ellington is a member of the cast of actors and singers, which also includes Vince Borrelli, Emily Levey, Laura Lewis, Tammy Roberts, Alvaro Rodriguez, Pam Ward, and Rikki Howie. Keys is part of music director/jazz pianist Burnett Thompson’s jazz combo, which plays music of the 1940s -- including "Sentimental,” “One for My Baby,” “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette” and “A Hot Time in the Town Of Berlin.”

“Swingtime” debuts Saturday at 8 p.m. and runs through June 12. Tickets are available both online and at the Atlas Box Office.