What do you get when you combine a Broadway-caliber performance with the vocal rhythm and blues of 1940’s Doo Wop?
The answer is “The Doo Wop Project,” coming to Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater for one night only on Friday, Aug. 12.
“The Doo Wop Project is a group of six guys who met doing Broadway shows and decided to form a group and cover some of the songs we were singing when we met from various musicals we were performing at the time,” said founding member and Broadway performer, Dominic Nolfi.
Nofli said the group was formed ten years ago and has since become a well-established national touring group, performing about 70 times a year.
The Doo Wop Project consists of five singers and four instrument-playing members. The group specializes in “Doo Wop-ified” versions of modern-day songs, which Nolfi described as “a more contemporary song that we turn into a Doo Wop song.”
Doo Wop music arose in the 1940’s as a genre focused mainly on the vocal ensemble with light instrumentation backing it up. The genre arose in African American Communities around the U.S. and was mainly versed in Rhythm and Blues.
The Doo Wop Project brings the style into the modern world by taking songs that audiences know and love, such as Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” and giving them the 1940’s vibe that the members love. “We bring a ton of energy and breathe it into these songs,” said Nolfi.
“We are a whole lot more grateful for our work than we were before the pandemic. It can be a little harder these days, but we’re starting to see our pre-pandemic numbers come back. Were super stoked, it’s a beautiful theater. We love coming to Pennsylvania; everyone in Gettysburg is awesome,” he said.
Gettysburg residents that attend the show can expect a special performance that Nolfi says will be “Just fun. We bring party energy to our concerts. It’s a celebration of the Doo Wop music and era. Bridging the gap between now and then. It’s a multigenerational audience that comes together to enjoy this music. All members of the Doo Wop Project have been “performing on Broadway for 20 years,” he said.
“We have performed at that level for such a long time we have gotten to a point where it’s just in us.”
The group was boosted in popularity this year when PBS published a special on the Doo Wop Project. “Coming out of the pandemic with a PBS special was super important for us. To see a half a year’s work completely cancelled was tough. We weren’t sure if it was possible to even get on tour after the pandemic.” But after doing two livestreams, the group was recommended to PBS and the special began its creation which finally debuted in early 2022. The special is available for streaming on PBS’s website for free at any time.
Tickets are available through the group’s website at https://www.thedoowopproject.com/ or at the Gettysburg Majestic Box Office.
My name is Wilson Schultz and I am a rising senior studying at Gettysburg College pursuing a degree in Political Science, with minors in Creative Writing and Environmental Studies. I am from Denver, Colorado and am deeply involved in outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing, backpacking, and skiing. At Gettysburg, I serve as Outdoor Facilitator with the Garthwait Leadership Center as well as maintain and set climbs in the Jaeger Center's "Den". After a gap semester studying with the School of the New York Times, I have been pursuing a career in journalism.
It felt like I was on Broadway in NYC Friday night attending this awesome performance. Fun to be among a packed house of spirited people as well!!