What Does a Purple Porch Light Mean? You will see why I now call UTSL the hardest working group in show business. And as a bonus, the guys hung out afterwards for photos and to sign CDs and DVDs which were on sale, on site. Theres a new number for Chris too which is particularly exciting. I started reading, assuming Id finish on my next cross-Atlantic flight, but I couldnt stop until I finished the last word! Stubbs: I think youre right, Chris. So youll want to write about that one, Im sure. He brought the guys together on stage for the first time. Another thought it some sort of black light. And I really think that that in a sense goes a long way in allowing all the other things to happen because we were all content with just making great music and making people happy. It looks like it would take a lot to learn and to remember, so Im surprised you can learn a number in ten minutes. Its for them, and without them we wouldnt be up there. And we had the great fortune and the grace to have opportunities to be performing our little show in the middle of the country and have been seen by the right kind of people who wanted us to be seen by more than just the people we were performing for. I have to tell you how much I like the opening you start with what most would agree are the Big Three of doo-wop, but before that, Michael is onstage alone, singing a slow solo, and then the other voices come out and join in one at a time. With irresistible charm and rapport, Under the Streetlamp offers audiences the opportunity to get to know four critically acclaimed stars of stage and screen, Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale . Shonn Wiley: Shonn Wiley and the Five OClock Shadows. From Ike and Tina to Steve and Eydie. Wardell was in the Broadway casts of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Assassins," "Good Vibrations" and "Catch Me If You Can. "The music is the most important, but the presentation is also important. Cunio: Hopefully were giving them a chance to relive some of their fondest memories, and also share this music too, with people who are now their children and the next generation. Shes an incredible musician and helped arrange a couple of things, and you can also tell from the credits that Steve Orich, who orchestrated JB, worked on a couple of our charts as well, so weve been lucky to work with some of our former JB colleagues, and then also a whole host of new folks. And thats how everybody referred to it. It began with people blending their voices together trying to make some music, and then explode out from there. Ingersoll, Jones and Wiley appeared at one time or another in the Chicago or national. (More laughter). Im kidding, Im kidding. In the 1950s and 60s, the street corner was the gathering spot for would-be musicians who couldn't afford instruments, lived in cramped quarters and wanted a place to perform. Cunio: Thats exactly where the name came from, and Shonn started to set that up a little bit earlier. THE CONCERT Under the Streetlamp's background. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, Under the Streetlamp proves why retro never sounded so now! But by throwing the word radio in there, you give it a whole different meaning that perfectly evokes the way we felt about popular music at the time. Stubbs: That opening the slow intro is that something you yourselves created? Chris: Id like to add one thing that I think would be of interest to the people who enjoy the blog so much. Cunio: The first choreography that we put together for the show was in a kitchen, and it was literally, step touch to the right, step touch to the left, it was super simple. Everyone's favorite retro rock band, Under the Streetlamp, delivers an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American Radio Songbook, bringing their unique blend of tight harmonies and. Itll be a surprise. THE TOUR I look forward to following this wonderful group of guys and hopefully catching a concert. America's favorite retro vocal group is Rockin' Round The Clock to classic hits from the Ameri. Michael probably can, still displaying the elocution of the Shakesperean actor that he was before there was a Jersey Boys. Dean Martin Stubbs: I could see that, because as a guy who was fortunate enough to experience this music its first time around, I love it when I see younger folks today enjoying this music as well. In addition to that, you may have seen me on Chicago Med or in various local TV or internet commercials. Other television appearances include Chicgao Med, The Tonight Show, Extra!, and Access Hollywood. Do you want to tour more? Our press agent, Liz Rosenberg, has a very short list of clients including Madonna, Cher, Michael Buble, and Tony Bennett. Shonn: Hey, were looking at this first tour as like summer camp. Shonn s performing roots go way back, having started dancing at the age of five. Pink porch lights are generally associated with Breast Cancer. (Cher has had at least 200 so far!!) Shonn: I just want to get filthy rich. Who are the members of under the streetlamp? Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. and Sammy Davis, Jr., among others) performed on stage. Cunio, for example, has the purest rock, roll, and soul voice in the group, showcased on some Aretha, some Kinks, some Isley Brothers, and some Beatles. Recordings: Darin: Live at the Mercury, and four albums with Under the Streetlamp. Chris: The only thing I would add to that, is you know, I made a mistake when I graduated . Entertainer Michael Cunio promises audiences a party at every performance of Under the Streetlamp, the skyrocketed foursome of talented young singers introduced as new stage faces just two years ago. Another fantastic interview! It just kind of had an exponential result. They had fun with each other and genuinely cared for each other.". After just enough time to think, Hey, wouldnt it be cool if the guys came out and started singing along? they did just that. (More laughter). Wiley said the foursome performs on a minimalist set. Ryan will play guitar, Matts on drums, and Im gonna play bass. What does a purple light in a window mean? Lots of activities were going on, whether it was dominoes or stickball, and musicians would congregate underneath the streetlamp, and they didnt have a lot of money for instruments, and so their voices became instruments, whether it was the percussive nature of the shoo-bee-doo-wahs, and then the lead singers and that, and I think Cunio sums it up the best which is . Michael: Because Joann Doherty, our musical director, and her husband Ryan Bennett, and our baritone saxophone player, are all on the JB second national tour right now, we have had to rebuild our band. Michael Ingersoll, who played Nick Massi of the Four Seasons for three years in "Jersey Boys," started a solo act and had some of the guys from "Jersey Boys" (including Wiley) with him on stage in the second act of his show. Under the Streetlamp, a concert featuring Jersey Boys stars Michael Ingersoll, Shonn Wiley, Michael Cunio and Christopher Kale Jones, will be filmed Aug. 20 at 8 PM at the Star Plaza Theater in . Michael: I would say this: We hope that the music we make , that people enjoy it enough, so that we become top tier touring artists in the vein of Michael Buble, I would like us to become premier touring artists that play in the best venues, all over the world, with great musicians, making as many people happy as we possibly can, I guess that would be my answer. Under the Streetlamp features Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones, Shonn Wiley and Brandon Wardell. There's an incredible line at the end of the musical Jersey Boys, where we're four guys under a streetlamp, where everything was stripped away and all that was left was the music, that was the best. "JONES HAS THEAUDIENCE SWOONING UNTIL THE FINAL CURTAIN. Theyre most common in February, which is American Heart Month. The members of Under the Streetlamp Michael Cunio, Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones and Shonn Wiley have been featured on Broadway, in film and on television, and were showcased . Cunio: Just wait for it. We have an entire group of four year olds, boys and girls, who continue to inspire us with dance moves, and who continue to listen to the music. And its difficult to even describe our gratitude for such a thing. That was my first clue that this wasnt going to be an easy conversation to stay in charge of. Happy Birthday to Musical Genius Bob Gaudio! And were seeing that now in our fans. When we first got started we took advantage and when I say took advantage I mean in an incredibly positive way of the opportunities that JB had created for us. Thanks to JB, The Four Seasons Music Is Celebrated! Jones is also known nationwide as a founding member of retro-rock sensation Under the Streetlamp, seen in millions of homes on PBS. Were not just a doo-wop band, were not just an oldies band. More on DARIN: Pieced together with charismatic storytelling that goes behind the veil of Bobby's fame and brash public life,Darinflows from the poignant to the celebratory, all while delivering hit after hit. You see true, unadulterated joy and enthusiasm on their faces. He said theres every reason that you could one day transition into doing that. And he mentioned to me, there are people out there who are doing this right now, today, and one of the people he mentioned specifically was Michael Buble. Kevin will play the piano, and Davis is gonna sing lead. Now I knew that between these five kids the only thing any of them could play with any proficiency was their Gameboys, but who was I to stifle such youthful exuberance? Thats all. Catch ROCKIN' AROUND THE CLOCK on your local PBS station! This has become our first priority, our primary responsibility. Ingersoll is heard gravitating toward early rock and roll as well as staking out the anything rockabilly corner, having spent a number of years in Memphis. Are those bands? 7:30 pm Metropolis. We thought, wed love some sort of just bare, a capella-ish thing to introduce everyone to who we are, and basically to say right from the beginning, this is where our brand of music started; this is where it began. So many years later, that hasnt changed; what has changed is that the breadth of his talent has widened, if thats even possible. Stubbs: So the performances until now were each a one-of-a-kind, or perhaps I should say, one-at-a-time events, rather than as part of a planned, organized itinerary. Join our digital mailing list and get notified when we have updates. Under the Streetlamp is buoyed by the talents of Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones, Brandon Wardell and Shonn Wiley several of whom formerly performed in the hot musical Jersey Boys. Hmm, better not display my ignorance. Stubbs: It accomplishes perfectly what you wanted it to. While each performer gets his moment in the spotlight, their synergy and charisma as a group has drawn an . Learn more about the full cast of Under the Streetlamp: Rockin' Round the Clock with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide The blue lights are active whenever a traffic light is red. ", "We all have different energies that we bring to the group," Wiley said. We choreographed Sh-Boom. You get PBS favorite, Under the Streetlamp and their electrifying show, with an inspiring catalog of classics, that has been thrilling audiences across the globe for over a decade. Chris: I think it just bears noting that we have nothing but gratitude for our time and our experience in that show, and we are fully aware that it has allowed us a certain platform for where we currently are, and were incredibly grateful to the creators of that show, as well as the individual producers and stage managers, and everyone that we worked with. Celebrity Sighting: Robert De Niro & Chazz Palminteri at Todays Jersey Boys Broadway Matinee! Current company members of Under The Streetlamp include Eric Gutman, David Larsen, Brandon Wardell and Shonn Wiley. Im tap dancing! Clap for me mommy! Its incredible. A lot of the things that youll see in this show were born out of those experiences. What food delivery app gives you free food? He also gets a chance to show off the some fancy footwork that demonstrates why hes the choreographer for the group. Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, Information: 630-896-6666; www.paramountaurora.com. . Follow the nationally lauded singing group Under the Streetlamp as they launch a singing competition to find talented vocalists with compelling stories to share. I dont know if its your intention to start every concert of this tour with that, but I hope for the audiences sake you do. Stubbs: Youre the baby of the group, right Shonn? Jones tenderly recounts Darins story of a life lived in the spotlight and lost too soon. Ill decline the guys offer to name the two new numbers in the second act, I mean set, so that you can be surprised too. If you go through the Four Seasons first few albums, you find many, many instances of them having done exactly that, From Sincerely and Tonite, Tonite to Sixteen Candles and Why Do Fools Fall In Love, just to name a few of my favorites. Latest News See All. Shonn: We love that you think that. Christopher Kale Jones. Larsen has performed on Broadway in "Good Vibrations" and "Billy Elliot." What a fantastic job he did with SNC! Some of it Im sure its intentional seems a bit tongue in cheek, designed to elicit smiles, if not laughter. First national tour cast, 2006: Erich Bergen, Christopher Kale Jones, Deven May and Michael Ingersoll. 4.7K views, 351 likes, 151 loves, 75 comments, 120 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Under The Streetlamp: "Blue Moon" has been one our favorites to hear Christopher Kale Jones sing lead on since we. These groups, and probably a few others, pretty much appeal to similar audiences I would think. Shonn: I do. Let me wind up with this: As you embark on this next exciting phase of your professional lives, are there any thoughts that come to mind as you look back on your JB experiences that youd like to share with the Jersey Boys Blog? With irresistible charm and rapport, Under the Streetlamp offers audiences the opportunity to get to know four critically acclaimed stars of stage and screen, Eric Gutman, Christopher Kale Jones, Shonn Wiley , and Brandon Wardell, the latter, a local Charlestonian. It was up to Alan Freed or Wolfman Jack what you were listening to, and you werent just limited to heavy metal, or hip-hop, or top forty. Some homeowners leave their green bulb in the porch light all year, while others change the bulb on or around Veterans Day. We have so many videos of these adorable little kids just having a great time. Stubbletwo took one look at you on TV (on the PBS concert) and said Boy, that guy looks young., Shonn: Im actually the oldest, but I tend to have the . We do it for them. ORIGINS And it just adds a whole element above and beyond what a lot of other groups do. ( Just last year, I saw him in a dramatic lead role as the real-life Ned Massey in Blood Ties! Fast forward to the present, when I had the opportunity to sit down with the four very talented performers who comprise the up-and-coming retrogroup Under The Streetlamp as they were about to embark on their first national tour. Hey Dad Im in a band!. And in addition to that, at a lot of these gigs weve flown in to perform, weve been able to partner with some high schools, so we could go and have actual talkbacks with students who want to be performers in some way, whether it be in acting, or singing, or becoming a musician, and well get these groups of kids to come out, and well just talk to them, and tell them about our experiences. Michael: Yeah like on the bus, we cant laugh too much. Chris: That was actually written for us by Joanne Doherty, whos now touring with JBs second national tour, when we were in rehearsals for the special. Behind the Streetlamp A Conversation with Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones, Michael Cunio, and Shonn Wiley. While his current pursuits keep him in Chicago, the group continues to tour around the US. Thats kind of my biggest goal right now. On any given night one can imagine him deciding between his tan shoes with pink shoelaces or his blue suede shoes. Under the Streetlamp will bring the sounds of early rock and roll, doo wop and Motown classics to an entirely . Jones won hearts nationwide starring as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (San Francisco, Los Angeles, First National Tour). (By the way, Cunio goes by his last name not so much because there are two Michaels in the group, but because growing up he was surrounded by Michaels, and using surnames made it easier to distinguish among peers. We were able to do a gig once where we had a couple seats free, so we invited some students to come in and see it, and their reactions actually pumped up the older crowd. Best of luck to Under The Streetlamp! Cunio: Yeah, its one that I came up with. Great article.as always. Learn more about Christopher Kale Jones - movies and shows, full bio, photos, videos, and more at TV Guide . Michael: And frankly he was more successful before he met us. But when I first saw the show in November of 2007 in California, I took one of those backstage tours that was offered for a charity donation. Is there a fifth UTSL member who writes your vocal arrangements, the musical accompaniments, the horn charts, and all that? Funny, Michael, that you referred to the audience earlier as your fifth member, because that leads right into one of my questions: George Martin became known as the fifth Beatle. 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