Published May 08, 2008 08:23 am - Chuck Root and Ed Mastascusa have been performing in the barbershop show of the West Branch Chorus since its first year in 1976.
A tradition of harmony
Barbershop singers to stage 32nd annual show
By Gina Morton
The Daily Item
LEWISBURG — Chuck Root and Ed Mastascusa have been performing in the barbershop show of the West Branch Chorus since its first year in 1976.
“The basic format is pretty much the same,” Root said. “The chorus is made up of people of all walks of life: professors, farmers, businessmen, high school teachers, retired folks and young kids.”
But one thing has changed that Mastascusa notices.
“We’ve been singing better and getting better arrangements,” he said.
The group will reunite for the 32nd annual barbershop show of the West Branch Chorus, to be held 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Weis Center on Bucknell University’s campus.
The show, “Script!!...What Script??,” will also feature: Razzmatazz, a comedy quartet from Lancaster; Consonance, a female quartet from Bloomsburg; the Mifflinburg Area High School Concert Choir, directed by Patricia Wagner; and four quartets from the West Branch Chorus.
The chorus is under the direction of Phil Krepps.
“Script!!...What Script??,” written by Mastascusa, is a parody of a script-writing team.
“It’s a skit about a committee, in the worst sense of the word, trying to create a script for a show,” Root said.
“They don’t get very far. It’s humorous, with lots of little gags and local humor.
“It’s a good time.”
Quartets will be featured throughout the evening as well, including Razzmatazz, a comedy quartet.
“Their motto is ‘Where are we going, and why are we in this hand basket?’ ” Root said. “It’s going to be very entertaining. Good music, good sound and lots of laughs.”
Three other quartets scheduled to perform are as follows: Achording to Dad, a father and his three sons, of Watsontown; Enduring Chords, a group of retired men; and Leisure Airs, a group primarily from Williamsport.