April 13th, 2010

From Kari Doyle’s rollicking impersonation of Tina Turner singing “Proud Mary” to Bronson Lee’s evocative interpretation of “What a Wonderful World,” the third annual Congressional Chorus cabaret “Feelin’ Groovy” had audiences cheering at all three sold-out shows.

“The best evening out [I’ve] had in a long time,” said one member of the audience. “I’ve never had more fun,” said another. “And my guests were blown away.” The concert was “so uplifting, so full of energy – it was a complete joy!” said Jane Lang, Chair, Board of Directors, Atlas Performing Arts Center. “The feeling shared by audience and performers in the theatre was just as I had imagined ‘a night at the Atlas’ when I first envisioned the Center.”

The Sprenger Theatre shimmered with psychedelic colors and designs inventively created by Dianna Sell, and lava lamps glowed on every table. Chorus members imaginatively invoked the 1960s with costumes reflecting both the conservative first half and the flamboyant, hippie-inspired second half. Piano virtuoso Joy Puckett-Schreier was joined by a coterie of instrumentalist who caught and reveled in the 1960s spirit. Dancers Mike Arichea and Larissa Gallagher were a terpsichorean triumph.

Artistic Director David Simmons wove together a remarkable range of pop tunes that reflected the innovation, diversity, and eclecticism of the decade: songs in the classic “American Songbook” style of the 1930s and 1940s; do-whoop from boy and girl groups; hits from Motown Records, Broadway, and the Beatles; protest songs from Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul & Mary.

Chorus and audience members alike left the Atlas Performing Arts Center humming the tunes, and perhaps some carried with them into the streets and offices of Washington both a message from the Beatles, “All You Need is Love” – and the sage (and Washington-appropriate) advice from Simon and Garfunkel, “slow down, you move too fast.”