A nostalgic musical that revolves around Gary is continuing to radiate good vibes at various venues.
“The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody” has 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. performances on Saturday, April 4, at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.
Located inside the arts facility, Theatre at the Center is welcoming this combination of narrative and song that emanates from the real-life experiences of Henry Farag, owner of Merrillville-based Canterbury Productions.
A concert producer, Farag fell in love with doo-wop and rhythm and blues during his youthful days in Gary, a city known for steel.
It also is recognized as the hometown of “King of Pop” Michael Jackson and his wildly popular musical family.
Gary is, likewise, the birthplace of seminal Vee Jay Records, a black-owned company that is often considered the forerunner of Motown Records. Vee Jay released the first Beatles records in America, and was home to notable R&B, blues and gospel recordings.
Farag has taken Canterbury’s production of the Gary-linked musical to venues in Michigan, Ohio, Chicago and Indiana.
He would like it to gain the widespread stature of some renowned pop-music stage shows.
“I want to see this on the same level as ‘Million Dollar Quartet,’ ‘Jersey Boys’ — any number of those plays that are out there now, because I think this stacks up,” Farag said. “I think it belongs in that league.”
Written and directed by Farag, “The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody” is spun from his personal experiences as a youth. His love of music was fueled by a crude radio that captured a signal — radio waves from station WWCA in Gary.
A pathway to melodic revelation was rolled out.
Packed with no fewer than 20 regal oldies, “The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody” boasts a tuneful lineup of pop fare and R&B, including 1969’s “I Want You Back” — the first national hit by the Jackson 5, products of the “Steel City.”
Also part of the mix is Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” — a civil-rights standard that is being sung in Farag’s production by Willie Rogers, who performed with Cooke. Rogers is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame through his membership in the Soul Stirrers.
Regarding venerable groups, the Signal/Rhapsody show also features the 2015 incarnation of the Spaniels, a trailblazing doo-wop group that is known for “Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight” — a timeless ’50s serenade.
No original members of the Spaniels from their heyday in the ’50s remain, but the legacy of the vocal group from Gary is carried on by Wilton Crump and the other members of the contemporary version of the Spaniels.
In the glory years, the Spaniels — and their harmonies — were led by the late James “Pookie” Hudson.
More Top Picks Best Architect Desk Lamps For Eye Care
“They had a special blend that became famous,” Crump said of their harmony skills. “Pookie’s lead was outstanding.”
Crump said he was told by Otis Williams of the Temptations that the Spaniels influenced the iconic Motown group.
A guitarist who can sing falsetto, Crump noted that the Munster performances will feature his vocal rendition of “Baby What You Want Me to Do” — made famous by influential bluesman Jimmy Reed, who recorded on the Vee Jay label.
Adding nationally recognized a cappella flavor to the Munster shows will be Stormy Weather, which is fronted by Farag.
If you go
What: “The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody”
Where: Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster
When: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 4
Tickets: $30; student price is $20
Details: 836-3255 or http://www.theatreatthecenter.com