JBD

I'm usually pretty blase about stage shows. Probably because I'm such a ham myself, I tend to be unenthusiastic for most stand-up comedians, variety singer/dancers, etc. With certain exceptions, of course. I just don't get why people are so ga-ga over shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. OK, they can sing and dance. So what? Seen it.

That doesn't mean I don't appreciate excellence when I see it. We are blessed to have a great choir program at Los Al High School, where Sweetie Pie is now a freshgirl, and from whence both the Goose and Ginger Snap matriculated. Now this is not your father's choir. When Ginger Snap first joined, I had in mind a bunch of pimply kids standing on risers, dressed in robes, singing traditional favorites. Dullsville, right? Even Whoopi Goldberg has to tart up to sell this stuff. Gospel singers are fun, but still - robes, risers, etc. Give me barbershop any day of the week.

Hah, was I wrong. First show I go to 6 years ago, I settle in for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and selected "hits" from the Cowsills, Up With People, and Mitch Miller. I braced myself to be politley praiseful, then quickly head back to the iPod for a cleansing session of Kansas, Journey, Led Zepplin, and Queen. Well, except for Led Zepplin, Los Al Vocal Music delivered all the rest, and more. And choreographed, and costumed, and accompanied by live music, and staged lighting and effects! Whoa, it was good. Sure there were some rough spots, and some stage fright here and there, and a few sour notes, but by and large, really good, entertaining, and near professional.

So I'm expecting a pretty good show as usual on Oct 30, this year's first show. featuring Broadway tunes. Can't go wrong there. Only difference this year is that we are breaking in a new choir teacher, Mr. Moellenkamp, who replaces the much loved Dr. Randi Carp, she of 16 years tenure, and universally adored for her great teaching and hard work. The school did a thorough search for Dr. Carp's replacement, so Mr. M had to be good to get the job. Would he be able to uphold the standards?

Oh yeah, that and more. The show was as good as any I've seen this group put on, and some of the numbers rank at the top. A few of the individual efforts were phenomenal, especially the girl who just killed "Over the Rainbow." Mr. M has recruited more boys this year than we usually see, and the power and presence of more male voices was dramatically apparent. The choreography was spectacular for only 6 weeks to prepare. And somebody finally figured out how to keep the band volume from overpowering the singers, one of my ongoing complaints. I came to hear the singers, not the drums, dammit.

If you're looking for a great show and want to patronize a high school program instead of the local ham factory, you couldn't go wrong coming to these shows.

This means YOU, Mike McMahon.

Posted by: JBD at 06:37 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 524 words, total size 3 kb.