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“How I Survived the Seventies” is a multi-media look at the 1970s, as seen through the diary of a teenager. She reflects on the events of the day, her high-school years and the changes her family goes through as the decade progresses.
The show features live performances of 1970s hits,by artists such as Santana, Bob Marley, the Hues Corporation, ABBA, Blondie and Gloria Gaynor. Suzanne Smithline performs vocals and bass guitar, Glenn Paul Manion performs vocals and electric guitar. All shows feature a live drummer.
Suzanne and Glenn have created an engaging multi-media presentation for this show, utilizing Macromedia Director. The computer generated still photos, animations, voice-overs (provided by Suzanne and Glenn’s daughter Leila Manion) and sound effects are projected on a huge (6 by 9 foot) screen by means of a Toshiba LCD projector, resulting in razor-sharp images.
Computer technology is also utilized in the musical component of the show. Roland’s Micro-Composer MC-80 sequencer enables Suzanne and Glenn to perform all types of 70s music, from reggae to disco.
Use of the diary format allow the student audience to identify with Claire, the narrator of the show, as she struggles to establish her identity and ultimately goes to college to study drama. Her friend Danny takes up electric guitar and heads to New York to become famous. Her mother is forced to take a job when her father is laid off from his job at a factory. Her Dad makes the transition into the information economy, with the help of Claire’s little brother Neil, who becomes a computer whiz.
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