Ohio University’s Performing Arts and Concert Series has a lineup every year of exciting programs for students, faculty and Athens residents. One musical concert coming to the series is The Choir of Man.
Set in a pub, the show follows a cast of nine men who act as the pub’s official choir. It’s interactive, with a fully functioning bar where the cast will pour pints and get up close and personal with audience members during the show.
The choir will sing pub tunes, folk, rock, choral and Broadway numbers. Some examples include “Wake Me Up” by Avicii, “Hello” by Adele and “Chandelier” by Sia. The cast will feature tap dancers, poets, instrumentalists and singers for everyone to enjoy.
Andrew Holzaepfel, senior associate director of student activities, is excited for this show to come to MemAud because he thinks there will be something in it that everyone can enjoy.
“It’s kind of a dark horse of a show as we booked it,” Holzaepfel said.
This “dark-horse” persona for the show came from the small amount of press it got with a large amount of acclaim from various festivals and tours. The performers did a small North Carolina tour and appeared at festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where nobody really knew them, but absolutely loved them by the end.
The Choir Man is a part of the regular 2019-2020 Performing Arts and Concert Series. Though it hasn’t been to Broadway, it has run in several other places like Australia and around Europe.
Students are excited about the opportunity for a unique show like The Choir Man.
Arianna Villanueva, a freshman studying psychology, is excited for a chance to do something different than what’s usually offered in Athens.
“It’s a good experience for people in college and in Athens to go to because there’s not much to do around here,” Villanueva said.
Rylee Mccrory, an undecided freshman, appreciates an opportunity for an escape from everyday stress in life.
“If it’s a feel-good musical, I think it would be fun for people to go to after a busy week to hear songs they may know,” Mccrory said.
Holzaepfel feels the same way as Mccrory, that it’s an unforgettable and feel-good experience for everyone to enjoy.
Though he knows the show isn’t very well known, he encourages people to take a chance and see something they normally wouldn’t see, because it will be a great experience.
“We have these shows every year, usually one or two that don’t have the biggest name recognition, but they're always the ones that the day after, it’s like you missed out if you weren’t there,” Holzaepfel. “Don’t miss out on this particular show.”
