Sarah Gendron, left, Teresa Marie Falavigna and Sandra Tolentino will strut their stuff as the Supremes in Choral Sounds Northwest's spring concert in Burien. Photo by Eric Mathison.

TV tunes reign supreme in ChoralSounds show

By Eric Mathison

This weekend, turn off your TV, get out of the house, and tune in to ChoralSounds Northwest's "As the Television Turns" at the Highline Performing Arts Center.

The chorus of 70 men and women present their annual spring concert at the center, 401 S. 152nd St in Burien, Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.

After presenting three straight spring concerts saluting Broadway musicals, the group turns its attention to the music beamed into our living rooms over the past 50 years.

As always, there's something for all age groups from the classics of television's Golden Age to the current rage, American Idol.

Your favorite TV characters are here--from Archie and Edith to Sonny and Cher. As for musical guests, there's the Four Seasons and the three Supremes. Idol is well represented by Kelly, Clay, Ruben, Carrie-and even the notorious William Hung.

Nine members of the Highline Community band accompany the chorus on several numbers and offer their own "Symphony of Sitcoms."

Also new is musical director James Hing as ChoralSounds continues its search for a permanent conductor to replace founder Mark Adrian.

Hing has directed church music ministries, community choruses and civic groups in New York, the Midwest and the Puget Sound area. Currently, he is director of music ministries for the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Renton.

After an instrumental overture of "Comedy Classics," Patrick Gleason, Sean Guynes, Genie Middaugh and Mandy Skey pay homage to Ed Sullivan with a "Hymn for a Sunday Evening."

Before the first commercial break, the chorus warms up with several familiar television themes.

During "70's TV Themes," beware of the beret blizzard after the Mary Tyler Moore Show tribute.

Also, Gleason and Margaret Thompson reprise their dead-on Archie and Edith impressions from ChoralSounds' Christmas concert while Lee Noble and Donna West welcome us aboard "The Love Boat."

When the stage is transformed into the American Bandstand set, the Four Seasons (known to the younger crowd as the Jersey Boys) croon three tunes. Steve Reagin, Bill Houser, John Burton and Greg Smith make up the quartet.

Teresa Marie Falavigna, Sarah Gendron and Sandra Tolentino, in sleek shimmering red dresses, are the Supremes or the Dreamgirls--depending on your demographic.

Then, the versatile Gleason plays Sonny to Patti Davies' Cher.

"That's Entertainment" brings the first half to a rousing finish.

The fast tempo continues as the second half starts with "Symphony of Sitcoms," "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses," followed by a Mitch Miller audience sing-along.

Those who appreciate the chorus' beautiful harmonies will truly enjoy "You Made Me Love You" and "Send in the Clowns."

Sarah Flegel, Marnie Adamski, Houser and Smith then deliver the kind of showy, vote-winning solos that have made American Idol a ratings blockbuster.

Of course, not all Idol contestants are winners.

Middaugh, whose day-job is serving as a King County Superior Court judge, offers a tongue-in-cheek German opera. The closest translation is "Es war ein dark und schtormy nacht."

And, in possibly the most unforgettable moment of the whole show, Gordon Pun channels William Hung with "SheBang SheBang."

Hurrying back to an earlier time, the chorus presents another quick medley of TV themes, broken up by Cheryl Serio as Lucy pitching "Veta Vita Vegimine."

The concert comes to a nostalgic end with the "Carol Burnett Theme" and Bob Hope's "Thanks for the Memory."

Reserved seating tickets are $25, $18 and $15. They are available online at www.nwassociatedarts.org or by calling 206-246-6040.

ChoralSounds also offers free seating to all youth, 17 and under, when accompanied by a paying adult.

The spring concert is supported, in part, by 4Culture, City of Burien, Fred Meyer, Horizons Foundation, JR Mailing Services, Glaser Foundation, PONCHO, Qwest Foundation, Seattle Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Signet Press, Target and the Washington State Arts Commission.