After a three-month run of Forever Plaid at Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre, four guys needed a new gig. “So as a gift for our closing night show, I got a box of business cards for everyone that said ‘Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets’ so we could stick together and continue performing,” says group member Tommy Lueck. And as simple as that, Four Guyz hit the scene.
Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets is an energetic musical cabaret blending vivacious vocals, animated choreography and quick-witted humor. Performing together for about 10 years, the members of Four Guyz include Reggie Kurschner, high tenor; Don Lobacz, first tenor; Tommy Lueck, baritone and Aaron Schmidt, bass. In addition to musical chops, they each have different talents they bring to the group: Schmidt is the tech guy, Lobacz does the arranging and Lueck ties together the loose ends of costuming and set design. They have also all worked in professional theatre in Milwaukee at the Skylight Opera Theatre as well as other venues. Their new show, Always in Style, celebrates music from the 50s and 60s and will be staged at Elm Grove’s Sunset Playhouse.
The Guyz started their singing career together at the Italian Community Center, eventually booking shows at other local and regional venues. All the while they were building up a dedicated following of baby boomers. They even created a variety show— complete with commercial jingles, choreography and comedy—for a theatre company in a little Wisconsin town called Tisch Mills.
When not performing, the Guyz all have day jobs—ranging from high school teacher to business analyst—but they stay committed to their performance careers during evenings and weekends. Over the past 10 years, the Four Guyz have created 32 other shows. They revamp every two to three years, but there is always some component of the show that is carried over from the last. “There is a slightly different style with everything we do because most of the music we use wasn’t originally done in four-part harmonies, so we are able to put an interesting spin on it,” Lobacz explains.
Always in Style features 30 brand new arrangements of doo-wop and rock n’ roll classics, and throws in a few early rockabilly tunes for the country music lovers in the audience. A handful of tunes are sung a capella, but there is also a piano, drum and upright bass accompaniment. “It’s a lot more interesting for a two hour show to have music behind the voice,” admits Lobacz.
Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets Always In Style will be at Sunset Playhouse (800 Elm Grove Rd.) through February 26. The Sunset Playhouse is a community theatre organization that’s been around since1954. For more information and tickets call (262) 782-4430 or purchase online by clicking here. Want a taste of what you can expect? See them perform here.
One more not to miss: Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats
Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. at the Pabst Theater
Any tradition that has endured twenty-five centuries is worth checking out and the touring Golden Dragons Chinese Acrobats are celebrated masters of their craft. For ticket information, click here.
Photo courtesy of Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets
