Old-fashioned in a good new way, The Fabulous Lipitones takes up the quandary of a barbershop quartet that’s become a trio shortly before they’re to sing in a big national contest. The men experience difficulty finding their newly deceased member’s replacement and overcoming the newbie’s lack of experience with their kind of music. Just as unhelpful are their ample preconceived attitudes and misconceptions. While this show seems mostly aimed to appeal to older or even middle-aged guys like the one who sat next to me and all but howled throughout, it’s a natural for sitcom fans. Howard (D. C. Anderson’s wishy-washy but likeable accountant) provides the suitable set, his pine-paneled rec room with bar well stocked with beer he doesn’t drink. Wally, Joel Blum’s jovial pharmacist quartet member, first named the group, hoping to get sponsorship by the company who’d just released a similarly named popular medicine. Wally doesn’t blame Howard for frequent upstairs checks on the health of his recently returned, unfaithful wife. Wally’s even game for internet romance. Scott Wakefield makes fun of both of them as cynical Phil, tanning-parlor owner, thrice divorced and always on the prowl. He’s quickly a villain when an auto mechanic the men heard by phone impressively singing at his work turns up with dark skin, accent, and a turban! Levin Valayil’s Bob (short for Baba Matt Singh) brings a great voice but a need for cultural adjustments and understandings to make the group cohesive. Bob can’t get past literal meanings of barbershop lyrics he finds offensive. Phil worries he may be a Muslim and thus a terrorist. All struggle to accommodate or adapt their own traditional song choices and dress as well as to overcome stereotypical reactions. Phil upsets progress by adding ignorance to the latter and reporting Bob to immigration authorities. It’s possible The Lipitones won’t get to challenge their big rival Sons of Pitches in the national contest. There are laughs galore and some fine harmonies effected in music and relationships. The Lipitones’s final performance is a new-fashioned hoot. All said and sung, a worthy opener for FST’s mainstage Summer Season.
