The Wisconsin Singers are back on campus with a one-night-only performance.
Coming off a fourth-place finish on the national television competition "America Sings" this summer, the group will have their only campus show of the year this Friday, Nov. 18.
However, the group will not perform at their usual location at the Union Theater. Instead, attendees will find them at the Overture Center on the 200 block of State Street.
"It's our first time in the Overture Center, which is a huge deal, to tell you the truth," senior singer-dancer Ryan Moldenhauer said. "We've always been in Union Theater, so it's really cool."
This year's show promises to be a Broadway caliber production with professional choreography, astonishing vocals and big-band sound. The Wisconsin Singers will perform the hits of chart-topping artists of the last 40 years. With this such a diverse list of songs, there is sure to be something for everyone.
"The show is called 'Starstruck!', and we're doing a bunch of different music," freshman pianist Pamela Gu said. "We are doing pop, jazz... all kinds. It's geared towards all different age groups, so it is geared towards both older people and younger people. It's kind of a combination of new and old types of music."
Soul fans will be treated to a medley featuring music from the Jackson 5. According to Moldenhauer, the soul medley will include "everything from Stevie Wonder to 'Single Ladies' by Beyoncé."
Fans of box-office blockbusters will also be in luck.
"We've got a Hollywood medley, which is all songs from big time movies," Moldenhauer said. "We've got old time movies like 'Risky Business' and 'Grease' to Disney [movies] and 'Burlesque'."
The singer-dancers will also perform music from "Dirty Dancing" and "Singin' in the Rain" along with a child- and teen-star medley. These selections in particular are sure to please all generations with a range from the Beatles to Bieber.
"We've got everything from Shirley Temple to the Backstreet Boys to Britney Spears," Moldenhauer said.
Gu said one of her favorite songs is a Backstreet Boys number that reminds her of music she listened to while growing up.
For those audience members craving music from the legends, songs will be performed by such artists as Van Halen and Whitney Houston.
Even those from younger generations (and those who are still kids at heart) will find their tastes represented with music from Disney classics such as "Mulan" and "The Lion King."
For die-hard Badger fans, the Wisconsin Singers have Fifth Quarter tunes that will give the audience a chance to get their "Bucky" on.
The singers and dancers will not be the only ones with a chance to showcase their talent. In the "Funky Jazz and Classical Music Superstars Medley," the band members will be at the forefront, which will give them the opportunity to show off their talent.
The Wisconsin Singers does not only present amazing entertainment for audience members, but being involved with the group offers an equally great opportunity for performers and band members.
Different opportunities attract potential members to the group. For Gu, the allure was in the opportunity to continue her passion for playing the piano.
"I actually got a call about it," Gu said. "The Wisconsin Singers just offered an audition to me and I mean, I thought it would be a great experience to try because piano has always been a hobby for me. I didn't think it would be a possibility to continue [playing piano] in college just because of academics and everything, but it's given me an opportunity to do piano on the side."
Even though she has only been involved for a few months, Gu said she is glad she joined. "I think the main thing is that I've met a lot of different people," Gu explained. "Freshman year is usually pretty tough, but all the people in here are really nice."
"I think you just get so much real-world experience, and you get to perform alongside such talented people. It's amazing," Moldenhauer added.
If you do not already have tickets to the show, there are plenty of reasons why you should go. Although "Starstruck!" is only 90 minutes long, it is jam-packed with songs, humor, dance and incredibly talented musicians and performers.
"I just think it is a lot fun, you know," Gu said. "It is not too serious, and like I said before, it's all different kinds of music, so people of different generations will enjoy it. It's singing, it's dancing. That's always fun for everyone."
"Whatever kind of music you like, there's something in the show for you," Moldenhauer said. "The music is such a fast pace that you're never going to be bored. You're going to always be stimulated with something on stage. You should come see it, [even] if you don't know what Wisconsin Singers is."
Tickets are by reserve. Orchestra seats are $23, and balcony seats are $13. Tickets are available on the Overture Center website, or you can get tickets by calling the Overture Center box office at (608) 258-4141. Act fast to snatch tickets for what is sure to be one of the greatest shows of the year.
