***** A wee bit over 5 years ago, we saw the touring company of the smash hit, “The Choir Of Man” at The Broadway Playhouse. In my review, I had stated that since it was early on the tour, if people missed it, just wait, it will return. Well, along the way, we hit a pandemic, closing all of theater for quite some time, but now, all systems are go! Theater is back! And luckily for Chicago, so is “The Choir of Man”, and what’s even better than before, in a much more intimate space for a production such as this.
The concept, created by Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson is that we are visiting an Irish Pub, in one of the smaller towns that looks quite realistic (set by Oli Townsend). Having been to Ireland, I recall going out pubbing at night ( not very much else to do in smaller villages) for a pint or two and a song. What this show does is bring nine men and their talent to the forefront with great harmonies, high energy dance, live percussion and foot-stomping/hand-clapping numbers that will almost give you the feeling of a “Stomp” but without the garbage cans. We do have some numbers where the men play music with beer mugs on tables and chairs and several times a mop does enter the stage. In particular when they do the “urinal scene”- a stitch to watch ( that is all I will say).
The show is roughly 90 minutes with no intermission, and yet when you enter the stage area of the Apollo Theater, it appears that the party has already started, and the men in the show have just been waiting for us to arrive, get a drink and find our seat. Directed by Nic Doodson with movement and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, this show is filled with charm ( Irish, Welsh, English and even American) and a cast of nine players and 4 musicians who have enough energy to keep the power going for days.
Shane McDaid is our narrator. His character is called “The Poet” and we do get some lovely statements from him along with a wonderful singing voice and like all the others, the ability to sing, dance and play at least one instrument. They also play Beer Steins like you have never heard before.
Marc Akinfolarin ( Bore) is a huge man with a very deep voice. Watching him move about during the dance numbers was mind-boggling and speaking of dance, George Knapper (Handyman) is quite the tap dancer, and when you see him go from bar to table and then some, you will see just how talented he is. David Shute ( Romantic) did a great rendition of “Hello”, just one of 17 songs in the show. “Chandelier” was handled by the entire cast acapella ( and it was perfect).
The rest of the ensemble of talented men are: RJ Griffith, Ifan Gwilym Jones ( what a piano man he is), Norton James as The Beast ( a burly man with solid talent and quite light on his feet), Mark Loveday as the Barman ( he kept the liquids flowing) . Two of tonight’s performers were “swings”/understudies, and one would never notice the difference. In fact, the smooth performance proves the point that a well oiled cast and crew will always bring the best to the stage, and as much as I loved the previous version, I found this one to be more intimate and audience friendly. The participation with the audience, the hand clapping, foot stomping and hooting and hollering far greater. We had a ball!
“The Choir of Man” will continue thru July 14th with performances as follows:Tuesdays 7:30pm
Wednesdays 7:30pm
Thursdays 7:30pm ( on 4/11, 4/25, 5/9 and 5/23 there will also be a 2 p.m. performance)
Fridays 8:00pm ( On the 5th,19th, May 3rd and 17th also a 4 p.m. performance)
Saturdays 4:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays 2:00pm
Price: $35 – $109
Show Type: Musical
Box Office: 773-935-6100
The Apollo Theatre is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Avenue
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Choir of Man”.
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