The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of doo-wop from the classic sounds of street corner harmonies to today’s biggest radio hits. Performed by stars from the Broadway hits ”Jersey Boys,” ”Motown: The Musical” and ”A Bronx Tale,” The Doo Wop Project brings thrilling singing and an unparalleled authenticity of sound to some of the greatest tunes in American popular music.
The show makes its Athens debut Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Hodgson Concert Hall.
The musical journey starts with the foundational tunes made famous by the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos; continues with the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Seasons; and experiments with doowopified versions of modern hits like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Garth Brooks’s “Friends in Low Places.”
The performers
Dominic Nolfi (vocalist)
Dominic Nolfi most recently performed on Broadway in Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale: The Musical,” directed by Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks. As an original cast member of “A Bronx Tale: The Musical,” “Motown: The Musical” (Grammy nominated) and “Jersey Boys” (Grammy Award for Best Cast Album), he can be heard on all three soundtracks. Nolfi also performed in the world premiere productions of “A Bronx Tale” and “Jersey Boys” at the Paper Mill Playhouse and the La Jolla Playhouse.
Charl Brown (vocalist)
Charl Brown was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as “Smokey Robinson” in “Motown The Musical” and reprised this role opening London’s West End production in 2015. He is also featured on the Grammy-nominated original Broadway cast recording. In 2014, Brown was honored to work with Stephen Schwartz playing the role of Adam/Noah in Children of Eden in concert at the Kennedy Center.
Dwayne Cooper (vocalist)
Often referred to as a modern day Sammy Davis Jr. meets Barry White, Dwayne Cooper is what the industry calls a “triple threat” and has performed in the Broadway casts of “Motown: The Musical” and “Hairspray,” the off-Broadway revival of “Smokey Joe’s Café” and several national tours, including Showboat. As a songwriter and producer, his songs have appeared on the Billboard’s Top Ten Dance chart.
Russell Fischer (vocalist)
Russell Fischer was cast in the Broadway company of “Jersey Boys” on his 22nd birthday, marking his Broadway debut. Fischer starred in the second national tour of “Big: The Musical.” His latest New York City credit was in “Baby Fat, Act 1: A Rock Opera” at LaMama Experimental Theater Club. Regional credits include “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “The Music Man” at Chautauqua Opera, the American premiere of “Children of Eden” at Papermill Playhouse and, most recently, the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival premiere of “The Collins Boy.”
John Michael Dias (vocalist)
John Michael Dias recently appeared on Broadway as Neil Sedaka in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit “Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.” He originated same the role for the “Beautiful” first national tour. Dias gained a nationwide following starring as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in the smash hit “Jersey Boys,” playing the role on Broadway, as well as in the first national tour, Vegas, and Chicago companies.
Sonny Paladino (music director, piano)
Sonny Paladino most recently served as music director, vocal/dance and incidental music arranger and orchestrator for the Broadway musical “Gettin’ The Band Back Together” and for the off-Broadway revival of “Smokey Joe’s Café.” Other recent credits include music supervisor for the Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”
Audiences can enjoy a free pre-performance talk by Stephen Valdez in Ramsey Concert Hall from 6:45-7:15 p.m.
This performance is supported by the Dixen Foundation.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Single tickets begin at $25, and UGA student tickets are just $10. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.