Retro vocalist quartet Under the Streetlamp brought classic hits, smooth dance moves and humorous dialogue to the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center Friday, May 3.
Members Michael Cunio, Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Jones and Shonn Wiley, backed by the band referred to as The Chicago Seven, played hits like The Beach Boys’ “I Get Around,” Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman,” and crowd pleasers from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
The boys of Under the Streetlamp affectionately referred to their fans as “Lampers.”
The audience consisted of mainly baby boomers, but fans of all ages attended the show.
One of Under the Streetlamp’s members said that the fans “range in age from 4 years old to like…” then was interrupted by another who said, “…34 years old.”
The group made other jokes about the audience throwing its panties on stage and mocked themselves about embarrassing moments.
Aside from the joking dialogue filled with plugs for the group’s sponsor network PBS, members sang cover songs as a quartet as well as solo.
The group harmonized its wide range of voices flawlessly on tunes like “Little Surfer Girl,” while the band featured string and percussion instruments. Musicians often exchanged cellos for bass guitars, alto saxophones for bass saxophones, horns for trumpets, etc.
The four boys met either while performing in Chicago or on tour with the Award winning musical “Jersey Boys,” a tribute to the life and music of Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons, according to a South Bend Tribune article.
Their smooth-to-raspy combination of voices left the crowd spellbound on tracks like James Brown’s “This is a Man’s World,” which Cunio’s husky tone executed precisely.
Under the Streetlamp even did a disco rendition of Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady,” complete with flashing colored lights and metallic silver three-piece suits.
The group encouraged interaction by running into the seats and getting the audience up to dance, though not many of the older crowed were inclined to do so.
Still, patrons enjoyed the show. Under the Streetlamp met with fans after the performance to sign autographs and talk to fans.
One woman who waited for the group accounted “they were funny, and talented… and agile!”
Over all, fans of music from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and even some ’80s, found Under the Streetlamp’s performance entertaining and appropriate for any age.
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