VoicePlay wows audience at Memorial Hall

0

GREENVILLE — A cold week in the area ended with warm applause as VoicePlay brought their unique musical harmonies to a sell-out performance at St. Clair Memorial Hall Saturday night.

Based in Orlando, Florida, VoicePlay — featuring vocalists Earl Elkins Jr., Geoff Catellucci, Layne Stein, Eli Jacobson and Tony Wakim — recreate the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production acapella, or with nothing but the the human voice.

In addition to its live performances, the group has achieved national recognition, both through its Youtube channel and its appearances during season four of the NBC television show “The Sing Off.”

Group member Geoff Castellucci describes the group’s style as “Bobby McFerrin meets KISS.”

“Ultimately, we want [audiences] to have a great time, not to really be thinking about it as an acapella show,” said Castellucci. “I mean, that’s kind of our palette, but hopefully that just kind of fades into the background, to where it’s just really entertaining.”

Member Eli Jacobson calls the group’s performance, “A nice, family fun sort of experience. It’s not just a concert, it’s a show.”

“If we can get people, if they’re having troubles outside of the theater, outside of here, if we are able to help them leave that out there and just have a good time and have fun, I think that is a win for us,” he said.

VoicePlay performs unique arrangements of popular songs in a variety of genres and from many eras, from Country Western to Classic Rock to Hip-Hop.

A medley starting out with a song such as the Temptations’ “My Girl” can quickly and seamlessly transition to “YMCA” by the Village People and then to “Bye Bye Bye” by ‘N Sync.

Audience interaction is also an important part of VoicePlay’s stage presence, with the group urging audience members to clap their hands, stomp their feet and cheer on cue throughout the show.

At one point, the vocalists passed out large marshmallows, encouraging the crowd to throw them at the group member who hits a “wrong note” during a number.

VoicePlay also brought up on stage randomly picked concertgoers to participate with the group.

Darke County Center for the Arts (DCCA) Executive Director Andrea Jordan described herself as “very happy” about the show selling out.

“Acapella is hot right now, and I think it’s a thing that really does appeal to all age groups,” she said.

Jordan wished to express special thanks to spotlight sponsors Greenville Technology Incorporate and Gordon Orthodontics of Greenville, as well as many other Arts in Education sponsors.

For VoicePlay tour dates, visit the group’s website at www.thevoiceplay.com. For information about upcoming DCCA shows, go online to www.centerforarts.net.

VoicePlay members audition audience member Ed Cornell of Greenville at the group’s Saturday night performance at Memorial Hall.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_IMG_5288-WEB.jpgVoicePlay members audition audience member Ed Cornell of Greenville at the group’s Saturday night performance at Memorial Hall. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate

VoicePlay sings onstage at Memorial Hall in Greenville Saturday night. The five-man acapella ensemble performed many popular songs to the delight of concertgoers.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_IMG_5231-WEB.jpgVoicePlay sings onstage at Memorial Hall in Greenville Saturday night. The five-man acapella ensemble performed many popular songs to the delight of concertgoers. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate

Vocal group VoicePlay brought on stage audience member Rhonda Oler of Greenville during its Saturday night performance at Memorial Hall.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_IMG_5260-WEB.jpgVocal group VoicePlay brought on stage audience member Rhonda Oler of Greenville during its Saturday night performance at Memorial Hall. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate
Sell-out crowd greets acapella group

By Erik Martin

[email protected]

Reporter Erik Martin may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

No posts to display