Jack Weaver ’15 | Staff Writer

As the curtain closed at the end of the 2013 Fall Follies show, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation.

Starting with solos by both Jackie Chylinski ’14 and Jack Kay ’15 were a great way to open up the beginning of the show. I was really pleased with the way both sang their solos. The song selection for Kay, “If I Loved You” from the musical “Carousel”, fit him perfectly, and Chylinski was on pitch throughout the entirety of her solo.

Following these powerful performances were the South Singers mainly consisting of freshman and sophomores. Although they’re less experienced than some of the older groups, it wasn’t noticeable as they got  a considerably positive reaction from the crowd for singing John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

Tower Belles, an all girls group, was next to take the stage and they too we’re able to perform quite well. I was mainly impressed by just how complex the choreography was throughout the entirety of their performance. Although they did appear off vocally at some points, missing notes here and there, the precision of their every movement as a group was able to overcome that minor downfall.

Following the Tower Belles was Jack Daley ’14, who was full of animation in his solo. He was on pitch from start to finish, hitting almost every note perfectly. After Daley finished singing his solo, all four choir groups  joined together to sing hits from Michael Jackson. Featured in this group effort were the songs “We Are the World” and “The Nature Song”, leaving the crowd on their feet to close out the 1st intermission.

Christina Koehler ’14 and Alexandra Etsios ’14 were great in their duet “I Feel Pretty/ Unpretty” from the musical “West Side Story” recently covered by the television show “Glee”, as they opened up the second half of the show. While Koehler covered the graceful melodies, Etsios featured a much more power voice throughout the duet, providing for an excellent combination.

The Suspensions, an a cappella group that is a new addition to South’s choir program, performed incredibly well. The beats were really impressive, and at some points it was so good I found myself believing that they had been pre-recordes.

My favorite part of the night though, and quite possibly for most of the crowd was the “Boys vs. Girls” theme put on display by the Pointe Singers. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson was performed by the girls while the boys performed their rendition of the song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper entitled “Guys Just Wanna Have Fun”. It was refreshing to see this transition from serious and professional, to a much more relaxed comical act. Both guys and girls followed along with the theme of displaying hatred toward the opposite gender, and it was so hilarious. I didn’t see someone in the audience who wasn’t laughing over it.

The finale was just as good as I expected it to be, everything from the choreography, to song selection, to the soloists who performed were fantastic. The musicians in the pit also did a great job. I was very impressed with everything about the show, and I recommend anyone who did not attend the show this year, that they go next year because it is definitely worth it.

Grade: A.