When most people hear the term gospel-singing group, most associate this with very upbeat and soulful songs that praise God and everything Christianity has to offer. But that was far from the case Friday Oct. 17.

J. Mark Mcvey joined Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Quartet on stage for their new The Inspiration of Broadway Tour. The night started off with Devin McGlamery, the lead singer of the Quartet opening the show by introducing the band and show, as well as throwing t-shirts into the loudest part of the crowd.

Soon after, the entire band, including Doug Anderson, the baritone of the group and Paul Harkey, the bass, were all on stage and started the night off with “Get Happy” and “Together (Wherever We Go)” from the 1959 musical “Gypsy”.

Bassist Paul Harkey then took the microphone, singing “Old Man River” from “Showboat”. His deep voice resonated throughout the crowd, ending with a roar of applause as the band lead into the next song.

The band came back to its gospel roots, singing “Get Away, Jordan.” The very upbeat song had them dancing across the stage, playing off each other as they passed and even synching up for some parts of the song. This easily led into Mcvey’s performance.

J. Mark Mcvey, a veteran of theater, most well known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean from Les Miserables, took the stage to sing “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera.” His rich voice captivated the audience, keeping many in a trance like state as they listened.

Mcvey also mentioned what a pleasure it was to work with a group like them, mentioning how he met the group when they came to preform at his church. Hausse also said it took four years for the group and Mcvey to set up the show.

The group then reconvened to sing “I Got the Sun in the Mornin’ (and the Moon at Night)” from “Annie Get Your Gun”, as well as “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls”, two classics that many in the audience swayed along to.

There was then a short intermission where Mcvey and the band help sell merchandise, but they were quick to get back into their usual gospel music with “Up Above My Head” but then falling back into the Broadway music with “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha.” They also sang to “Seasons of Love” from “Rent,” giving the song all the passion it deserved.

Mcvey then took the stage once more, jumping seamlessly into his most notorious role as Jean Valjean, singing “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables”. While Harkey then took over to sing “Going Home,” one of the band’s own songs. Then the band reconvened for “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel.”

This seemed like this show stopper would end the night but shortly after all had left the stage they came back to finish with “Let The Sunshine In.”
After the concert, Haase revealed that the reason this tour was Broadway inspired because Mcvey was the bridge they needed to be able to do a Broadway tour, and the fact that a recent revival of Broadway has helped it along as well. And Mcvey had a few things to say as well

Mcvey then said that his favorite part of the tour is being with Haase and Signature Sound was the fact that there was camaraderie between the men. He said since he comes from such an individualized industry where everyone is constantly competing, it is refreshing to be apart of a group that is just trying to get along.

This was the group’s second show and Haase also said they only plan to get better from here.

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