It’s a night of a capella holiday hits including “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Wonderful Christmastime,” “Christmas Don’t Be Late (The Chipmunk Song)” and even a funky rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” when Rockapella Holiday returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse stage on Sunday, December 17 at 8pm as part of the Pepsi Rock Series Powered by Xfinity. Kicking off the night will be the Ridgefield High School Madrigal Singers.
Rockapella has successfully modernized the art of a cappella performing, texturing their rich, five-part vocals with elements of rock, jazz, R&B, and doo wop. They’ve become one of the world’s most sophisticated, lasting, and imitated vocal groups around today. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more influential group out there in this new era of network television a cappella shows like NBC’s The Sing-Off, movies like Pitch Perfect, and innumerable college vocal groups that own the corner of cool on campuses everywhere. The current Rockapella line-up features Scott Leonard (since 1991, High Tenor), Jeff Thacher (1993, Vocal Percussionist), Calvin Jones (2013, Tenor), Mitchell Rains (2016, Tenor), and Bryant Vance (2016, Bass). This line-up marks a new generation of Rockapella, who remain keenly focused on musical excellence. Media sponsor for this fun night of family entertainment is Danbury’s 98Q.
Now they’re better than ever! As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of “contemporary” a cappella, Rockapella has shown every audience the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. “People have a hard time believing it’s just us making all of that music. It’s still those same elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies,” says Scott. “Our success is in the art of it – it’s not what you do, but how you do it!” adds Jeff. And Rockapella has indeed proven that forming original pop & soul magic onstage is what sets them apart.
For tickets ($47), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.