Performance: Detroit, MI
10-Mar-06
THREE MO’ TENORS BRINGS BIG VOICES TO FISHER STAGE
By Kathleen Kirby
DETROIT – Inspired by the successful “Three Tenors” concerts featuring icons of the operatic world,Three Mo’ Tenors showcases and celebrates the versatility of African-American tenors. It is an awesome trip through time and musical styles.
The Fisher Theatre is playing host this month to this versatile show as it concludes a national tour. With the demands of eight performances each week, Three Mo’ Tenors actually features two sets of tenors who perform on an alternating schedule. If Tuesday night’s performance was an indication, these are six of the most versatile and talented black tenors in the business.
The opening-night music was sung by James Berger, Duane A. Moody and Phumzile Sojola on a concert-style stage. As expected, they began classically with amazing solo renditions from Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and “La Traviata” and Donizetti’s “La Favorita” that left no doubt about their talent and operatic training.
With its performance credentials thus established, the trio then took off on a sojourn through 400 years and a range of styles that included Broadway, jazz, blues, spirituals, soul, gospel and hip-hop.
The audience was first mesmerized by Berger and Sojola singing the stirring and plaintive “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. They were even more inspiring when joined by Moody in theRagtime hit “Make Them Hear You.”
Individual bright spots began with Berger’s version of “Minnie the Moocher” as the singer, clad in a zoot suit, cajoled the audience into participation in the choruses. After an interlude of blues and Broadway, Sojola performed a glorious “Azure Te” from Five Guys Named Moe. Following some memory-stirring moments from soul, blues and even hip-hop, Moody’s all-consuming spiritual rendition of “I Don’t Feel No-ways Tired” led into a full gospel choir medley sung by a locally recruited Detroit group.
The classically garbed singers returned to send the audience away with a reprise of “Make Them Hear You,” which may be their signature song, or should be. They are a treat to the ear and deserve to be heard.
Three Mo’ Tenors continues at the Fisher Theatre through March 26. Tickets are $27.50-$57.50 at the box office and Ticketmaster outlets, or charge at (248) 645-6666 or www.ticketmaster.com. Details: (313) 872-1000, www.nederlanderdetroit.com.