Welcome to the Jungle

The Choir of Man

Step into the Apollo Theater and you’ll suddenly be conveyed across the Atlantic to a British pub called The Jungle. The stage has been totally transformed into a comfy locale that blends immersive theatre with a more traditional form of musical. Walking through the doors, theatergoers will immediately meet nine of the pub’s most faithfully devoted regulars who spend their nonworking hours telling jokes and stories, comforting each other, and downing beer and the occasional shot. The genuine bonhomie emanating from this amiable group of guys creates a family of choice, a “Choir of Man,” that extends all the way into the audience. Opening with the rousing Axl Rose hit, “Welcome to the Jungle,” the fun and festivities commences from the moment that the doors open.

Dominating the Scenic Design for the venue is an actual bar, co-created by artists Oli Townsend and Verity Sadler (who also designed the costumes) and lighted by Richard Dinnen. It’s so authentic and lifelike, the pub even sports working beer taps from which theatergoers can purchase beverages before the show begins. The back wall is a colorful patchwork of tiles. In addition to an upright piano, the pub’s dotted with a few assorted tables, chairs and stools scattered around the stage. Suspended high above the back wall of the bar is a balcony that houses four talented band members: Rafe Bradford, Seth Pae, Scott Simon and Kelan M. Smith. Each masterful musician plays a wide variety of instruments, sometimes even joining the nine-member cast on the stage.

Each member of the genial, good-natured cast is unbelievably talented and versatile. The “Choir” all share their personal world, reminding us that these are fellas we all recognize from our everyday lives. They tell humorous stories, mourn personal heartbreaks, share practical jokes and sing a variety of songs. Often the performances featuring a soloist, a duo or a trio, backed by some gorgeous harmonies provided by the other members of the company; in other musical numbers the entire company sings together in unison. In addition to plenty of audience participation, there’s a sing-along of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Just some of the mishmash of the many songs included in the 90-minute production are Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” Adele’s beautiful “Hello,” Randy Newman’s catchy “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” Sia’s “Chandelier,” and the heartbreaking Luther Vandross/Richard Marx ballad, “Dance With My Father,” guaranteed to produce a tear or two.

The Choir of Men each sport a revealing label or nickname. Assuming the role of our humble host for the evening, the show’s emcee and primary narrator, is portrayed by the Poet, Shane McDaid. An extremely personable young man hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Mr. McDaid guides the audience through this happy one-act harmonic happening from beginning to end. At the opening night performance, understudies Norton James (also the Resident Associate Director) portrayed the Beast, singing, strumming his guitar and beautifully handling other stringed instruments. He’s joined by the multitalented, Cheshire-born David Schute, as sweet and sincere as can be, playing the singing, jilted Romantic. 

Other Choir members include Chicago actor and singer, RJ Griffith (a standout from several Black Ensemble Theatre productions) as the Hardman; trained London singing actor Marc Akinfolarin, nicknamed the Bore; the handsome, multitalented musician from Wales, Ifan Gwilym-Jones, as the Maestro; George Knapper is the rhythmical Handyman; Benji Lord, a master on almost every musical instrument imaginable, and a talented tenor, plays the Joker; and pouring the drinks, handling the instrumentals and singing like a bird is personable Mark Loveday as our Cockney Barman from East London.

The show, which proved a huge success when it first premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, was created by Andrew Kay & Nic Doodson, who also directed the production. Since then, THE CHOIR OF MAN has toured all over the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. The short-and-sweet monologues were written by Ben Norris, musical direction is by Alistair Higgins, and musical supervision, vocal arranging and orchestrations were the creative work of Jack Blume, while the show’s choreography and movement direction is the creativity of Freddie Huddleston.

With the beer flowing freely, such a jubilant show, like THE CHOIR OF MAN, is a Bacchanalian buffet—a sincere celebration of life. Told from the point of view of nine endearing gents, this one-act is a tribute to every male in the room. The Jungle may be a fictional public house, transported from the United Kingdom, but it feels absolutely real. Completely at home here in Chicago, the Poet tenderly explains what “home” actually means to each of the cast members. Coupled with all the songs, music and dances, the jolly good joie de vivre is a warmhearted Welcome to the Jungle!         

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 27-May 26 by the Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the Apollo box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 773-935-6100 or by going to www.Ticketmaster.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.