Henry Farag is out front on vocals

Vee-Jay Records and a love of singing merge in "The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody"

Contributed By:Harriett Washington

A little boy receives a crystal radio for Christmas and grows into a man still in love with Doo Wop. This is the backdrop of “The Signal: A Doo Wop Rhapsody” – a musical paralleling the career of Vivian Carter and Henry Farag, Jr., presented at Munster’s Center of Performing Arts, January 16-17. The primary players are located in Gary’s Midtown and Tolleston communities. Vivian, a Negro and Henry, the son of a bi-racial marriage become entwined in an era when harmonizing on the corner was as much a right of passage for urban boys as being in a gang.

Vivian and her husband founded Vee-Jay Records, a label whose level of success inspired Berry Gordy to return home to Detroit and begin his own label. Vee-Jay Records served as direct or indirect influence on solo and group acts and was the booking agent for the Beatles first U.S. tour.

Farag is writer and director of “The Signal” and is a classic Doo Wop artist. He wrote for Chess Records and is a founder of ‘Stormy Weather’, a group which pays tribute to local acts such as Pookie Hudson and The Spaniels, The Jackson Five, and others. Another Gary son, Wilton Crump does a powerful rendition of Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” while Gene Stewart belted Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” to standing ovations. Blues Hall of Fame inductee Sheryl Youngblood stepped from behind the drums and rocked the house to a different version of the Jackson Five's “I Want You Back,” demonstrating her skills are not limited to the drums!

I give this 9-member cast musical 5 air bumps ‘cause it’s just that good! Want more info? Write Harriet Washington at washingtonwordsmith@hotmail.com

Story Posted:01/22/2016