Bijou Orchestra Opens Season

Orchestra Presents Classic Movie and Vaudeville Show

September 19, 2004
By: Stephen Kent

The Bijou Orchestra opened the 2004-2005 season with a classic Vaudeville show and silent movie presented at Bay City's Central High School auditorium.

The show opened with the Vaudeville antics of Luetenske and Luetenske (aka Paul and Ann Russell Lutenske). The Luetenske's are well known in the local arts community from their many performances in community theater. Ann will also be remembered for her performance in last season's Bijou presentation of "As the World Goes Round".

The "silent" movie was "Steamboat Bill Jr." staring Buster Keaton. This was Keaton's 45th picture and the last of his independent productions. The movie was accompanied by the orchestra playing a full length score prepared for this movie by Leo Najar, Artistic Director of the Bijou.

For most people, the era of silent movies is familiar from short clips seen on television. That exposure doesn't do justice to these films. Seeing the movie on a big screen, with a live, professional orchestra playing a score written for the film, gives an entirely new perspective. Even without words, the story was entirely understandable, the jokes and gags were funny and the stunts were real. All in all, it was as much fun as any movie I've seen in recent years.

For more information visit the BijouOrchestra.org web site.

Photos by Andy Rogers