Playhouse Square’s touring production of ‘The Choir of Man’ is just what we need!

“Beauty is in the eye of the...beerholder.”

Cleveland has a very special place in its heart for “The Choir of Man”. This was the very first show to grace a Playhouse Square stage after Covid. That was back in 2022 when the vaccine was not yet as universal as it is today. It took a tremendous amount of courage for the cast to risk everything simply to bring entertainment to our city. What it did after two years of epidemic uncertainty was to give us hope that perhaps we had turned the corner on this fatal disease. Now, “The Choir of Men” has returned to what appears to be sell out crowds for their entire run.

So what has changed? For one, groups of audience members are allowed on stage prior to the show’s beginning to be served a brew. Cast members come out into the audience bringing yet more beer to be shared. Gone are the boat oars used as a “touch-less” serving device. What has remained is the same infectious (but in a good way) attitude that one would find in the many neighborhood pubs that dot the United Kingdom. Sad to say that many of these neighborhood pubs (public houses) are being lost to gentrification where historic buildings are being torn down to make way for condos and housing projects...but enough of that shite.

For ninety minutes we join the regulars at “The Jungle”, a fully outfitted pub complete with comical paintings, mismatched seating, a tiny after thought space for the band but plenty of room to dance, sing, challenge one another, share brotherly love, reminiscence and of course drink. The “irregulars” consist of Bore (Lewis Bennett), Beast (Rob Godfrey), Hard Man (RJ Griffith). Poet (Conor Hanley), Handyman (Adam Hilton), Barman (Mark Loveday), Joker (Conor Mellor), Maestro (Lee O’Reilly), Romantic (Tristan Whincup), and Swings Alistair Higgins, Norton James and Bradley Walwyn. Members of the house band are Rafe Bradford on bass, Scott Simon on drums and Cesar Romero on Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin and keys.

This crew of lovable misfits takes us on a 90 minute uninterrupted journey of seventeen songs ranging from traditional ballads to contemporary pop songs all sung with impeccable harmony and superb musical back-up. Once they get the stage cleared of the served invited guests they launch into “Welcome to the Jungle” that sets the tone for the evening...one of fun, foolery, reflection, retrospection and more fun. Individual audience members are brought up as special guests during the proceedings and once settled are served their favorite libation as they are sung to on stage.

Having traveled to the UK a number of times I have my own favorite pub story. We were in Ireland on a bus tour and had stopped at a small pub for a bite to eat on our way to yet another museum. As lunch was winding down, our driver, Frank, came by to tell us that our next stop did not open for another hour and a half and anyone wishing to see the town could do a “walkabout”. I was out the door in a flash with my camera strolling around this quaint Irish village that sported some authentic thatch roof homes. After an hour of walking I got thirsty and although I do not partake of alcohol entered another pub to see if they had something that I could drink. The man behind the bar greeted me and the following dialogue ensued. “Good day Mate, what can I do for you?” “How’s your pop?” With a puzzled look, “Me Dad’s fine, how’s yours?” “No...soda pop.” Another puzzled look, “Aye” “Coca Cola, only different colors and flavors.” “Aye! Fizzy Water! That is what you need!” “Fizzy Water indeed. Do you have any?” “No... ‘round the corner at the petrol station.”

The entire cast and crew of this production work as a precise well balanced machine. They are all well practiced in their craft of entertaining. The stage set by Oli Townsend and Verity Sadler is a perfect recreation of a typical pub with all the little knick knacks strewn about. Richard Dinnen’s lighting design uses light to paint the stage and emphasize various scenes. Sten Severson’s sound design balances each mic’d performer with perfection. Special mention to Freddie Huddleston who acts as choreographer and movement director and Ben Norris as monologues writer. The show is masterly directed by Nic Doodson (one of the original creators along with Andrew Kay).

Revisiting this show after so many years made me realize how great this production is. For a very short ninety minutes you are invited to escape to a place where everyone really does know your name. Subtle side themes remind us how through loss, addiction, family problems, work problems and coping with life in general a gentle word from a real friend can make all the difference in the world. This is where every raised glass tells a story. Slainte.

The touring production of “The Choir of Man” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through March 8, 2026. For tickets and more information go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.