Apollo Theater raises a toast to West End’s “The Choir Of Man,” a concert meets play, party and pub

Photos provided by Michael Brosilow

Walking into the Apollo Theater on opening night for “The Choir Of Man” felt unlike any other Broadway-styled show, starting with the photos of the cast hanging out and memorabilia of many kinds plastered all over the lobby walls.

Upon entering the actual venue, guests weren’t shown straight to their seats, but rather, directed towards a fully functioning bar on stage, affectionately referred to as The Jungle, where everyone can check their cares at the door.

When the lights finally dim inside the “Cheers”-like establishment, the booming voices of several singer/multi-instrumentalist buddies blast out Guns ’N Roses’ “Welcome To The Jungle,” alongside narrator/Poet Shane McDaid introducing the whole flawlessly harmonizing gang.

Straight out of London’s West End with many performers hailing from overseas, plus Chicagoans RJ Griffith and Kevin James Sievert (who was ill on this particular date), the musical is simultaneously a concert, play and party as the guys toss back brews to the beats of pop, rock and folk of the last half-century, all backed by a rollicking live band.

Audience members are often brought into the action as well and rewarded with free alcohol, such as during a cheeky serenade of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and a piano-centered romp through The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).”

The line-up also offers a chance to groove along to Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge,” but leaves just as much room for the tender emotions of Sia’s entirely a cappella “Chandelier,” Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father” and the Scottish/Irish traditional “The Parting Glass,” minus the microphones.

There’s even a fair share of tap dancing, foot-stomping and spoken interludes musing on love, loss and community, though comedy reigns supreme, especially when it comes to the craftily constructed bathroom scene.

But there’s no topping the colossal hand-claps and explosive choreography of “Some Nights” by fun., while the collective toast it receives throughout a last call could very well qualify “The Choir Of Man” as opening the door to the world’s most welcoming pub.

“The Choir Of Man” continues at the Apollo Theater through Sunday, May 26. For additional details, visit ApolloChicago.com.