Planned to start Florida Studio Theater’s Winter Cabaret Series last year, The Wanderers got stopped by pandemic-caused closing of FST’s venues. But the four guys who “wander around the world of hit ‘50s and ‘60s harmony groups” have finally lodged melodiously at FST, starting Fall 2021.
The titled guys begin “At the Hop” with appropriate movement to four microphones across the stage front, then come to a stop after a “Rama Lama Ding Dong” with lots of finger-snapping. Bass Jason Pintar, who often narrates briefly for the group, explains their title and leads them to “Remember Then” — the Doo Wop era. Tenor Travis Keith Battle highlights its meaning.
The four come together to sing the show’s title song, leading to the program’s mix of single performances backed by the group along with songs more or less evenly shared.
Baritone Ryan Morales has his first stand-out with “The Great Pretender” followed by Travis with a balladic “Blue Moon.” High tenor Kenny Quinney Francoeur, the youngest of the group, croons to girl-friend “Sherry” to sweet effect.
“Yakety-Yak,” “Hot Rod Lincoln,” and “Runaround Sue” do Doo Wop proud in Act I. On the balladic side is “In the Still of the Night” while “Silhouettes” becomes a plea in song by Ryan. Kenny does a powerful “Cry” emulating Johnny Ray. Jason’s bass is central to the group’s “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” that runs into “Book of Love” and Act I’s closing on a Hip-Hop High.
A lengthy discussion and several sung pieces of “Banana Boat” (the Wimoweh song) start a singing trip through a jungle and get — surprise! — to Ireland. Andrew Gray’s green lighting is especially effective here, as is Thom Korp’s sound. Susan Angerman’s costumes, all using black trousers and varying tops, reflect the moods and subjects of the musical sets well.
The later Act II songs that proved audience favorites when I heard them were “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and “One Fine Day.” I’d have added “All You Need is Love” but that Beatles favorite was only presented briefly, not as a full number, before the ending Reprise.
Not only are the vocalists and wonderful pianist-arranger Jim Prosser responsible for such an effervescent revue. Much credit goes to the two directors: Catherine Randazzo (of performed-script and movement) and Minhui Lee (Music). Authors Richard and Rebecca Hopkins’ creation of The Wanderers deserves fully the audience approval I observed and joined.
