By Gabriel Swersie
It is during this time of year we gets a bit more nostalgic than other times. We search out the things of our youth. Claymation Rudolphs and Heatmeisers once again become vogue. It is not at any other time of the year that we visit the Whos down in Whoville or even wish to get the season right like Linus does with the Peanuts gang. One might say our hearts grow three sizes at the holidays.
The nostalgia for bygone things surfaced in a big way on Friday night at Newton Senior High School with the Jasper County Concert Association’s presentation of Two on Tap. To really simplify the concert for those who were not there, it is a Christmas variety show.
What it brings to my mind are the variety shows I grew up with in the seventies when one could see the pop star du jour singing the old standards. Some of the shows I watched were reruns like the Sonny and Cher show. Every Christmas variety show was an attempt to pay homage to the great performances of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Dean and Jerry, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.
This is most definitely a tribute to those Golden Age actors. Through the mediums of song and tap dance, Two on Tap sought to honor their heroes and help the Newton audience to reminisce their youth. The audience responded. Most of the audience seemed absolutely thrilled with talent and song selection. I was impressed by the obvious dedication of the performers and I thought they and the whole show, were really sweet.
Two on Tap are actually three, starring singer/dancers Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano and featuring Jeffrey Biering on piano. All three are fantastically talented professionals. The show was well choreographed and well done. They are each high quality performers with extensive pedigrees. Honestly, I love that JCCA gets to bring in acts like this, these are performers one may have seen in a Broadway show.
The Jasper County Concert Association will present their next concert on Feb. 23. Tickets are always available at Mattingly’s Music and Books and at the performance.