Songs have a way of igniting flashbacks of times gone by. Many a moment has been transformed by the simple act of turning the radio dial, shuffling an iPod, or walking into a store. A perfectly good mood might pause over notes from the last dance at senior prom. Thoughts of that former love creep in, and a long-forgotten part of the heart begins to burn. Maybe an oldie but goody sends thoughts reeling, of dancing on Daddy’s shoes, helping Mama flour the kitchen, i.e. cook biscuits… Or, perhaps, the song played as the first dance at the wedding reception adds new sparks to the dying embers of a lengthy marriage. No matter the memory, music transforms our moods, outlooks—can even take us to another place and time.

Smokey Joe’s Café is helping audiences do just that, along with adding some toe tapping, clapping and head bobbing that extends beyond the stage.

The cast of SummerTide Theatre, students of the University of Alabama, breathes new life into old notes as they perform songs by Leiber and Stoller, dance to familiar rhythms, and heat up the stage of the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays June 1-29.

According to Christopher Montpetit, publicist for SummerTide Theatre, guests can expect top-notch entertainment, and much more.

“This production is what many people call a jukebox musical. There’s no plot; it’s a collection of songs and dances. It features songs by Jerry Leibert and Mike Stoller, while at the top of their craft as song writers in the 1950s. It’s about 90 minutes of the best they’ve ever written and the songs have been performed by a variety of artists. You’ll hear songs like ‘Love Potion No. 9,’ ‘Stand By Me,’ and ‘Hound Dog.’ It’s a great evening of music and dancing from beginning to end.”

He said this play calls on audience familiarity as a big part of its fun and energy.

“Many people will recognize songs as soon as the piano starts playing the intros. Even for younger generations, they’ll know them from movies, TV shows and re-recordings. But for a particular age group, this show is sort of a nostalgic journey back to the days when they were teens and heard songs by The Coasters, Elvis and B.B. King. The songs they remember from their early years are brought to life on stage. Looking at audiences that have been here, I think they’re going to be so excited to hear the songs again.”

But audiences aren’t the only ones grinning from ear to ear.

“We have a cast of 10 people—eight performers and two musicians—four men, four women, a pianist and percussionist,” Montpetit explained. “They come early, warm up and get the energy level going.”

“As soon as they come on stage they have to be on top of it. They give 110 percent to the end of it—the whole 90 minutes. It’s almost like a concert; it’s very infectious. I think audiences will find themselves humming, singing and clapping along to these songs as these fantastic performers keep giving their all.”

He said that performing is a next step for the cast.

“We’re the summer professional theatre of the University of Alabama. We cast all students—three just graduated last month, and others are current students. They’re all Musical Theatre majors.”

He also divulged that the annual, summer performances help them transition from college student to professional actor.

“For many of them , this is the first professional job that they have. They are paid just like any other professional actor, and it’s their first experience of how theatre works. They go through two and a half weeks of very intense rehearsals. There’s 26 performances of a production—six shows a week, so it’s similar to other theaters.

Many of them will go on to work on cruise ships, for Disney, or go to New York or Los Angeles.”

In essence, both cast and guests reap rewards from the magic of musical theatre.

“I’m of the philosophy that theater should be a part of our life,” he beamed. “Theatre gives reflection of our lives, generations, problems and dreams.”

“Specifically, musical theatre adds a little bit of enjoyment. Today, people turn on the TV, go to a movie theatre or put in a DVD, but there’s something about seeing live theatre on stage that just can’t be touched. There’s a relationship between the actors and the audience—they feed off each other. With musical theatre or plays, that’s one of the advantages.”

For tickets, call 251-968-6721. Prices are $18 per adult, $12 for children 12 and under, and $12 for groups of 10 or more.