The octogenarian and I went to see Glee 3D this past summer. She agreed to accompany me, because she was worried about my most recent obsession. She hates music and can’t hear or see very well. I mention this so you understand the depth of her concern.
Her first question as we left the cinema? Who were those tidy young men in the blazers? She followed the question with a comment, “I was afraid they would collide with each other as they danced about.” I explained the attire. She murmured her approval. I assured her that no Warbler was injured during the shoot.
Once she was introduced to the fictitious Dalton Academy and its acappella male chorus, the octogenarian began watching reruns of Season 2. Not a fan of the lead singer – “he isn’t very handsome, is he” – she admired the collective clean-cut, private school wholesomeness. A private school alumna – watching the boys from Dalton made her feel as if some of what defines her has not been lost with time.
This week it occurred to me that she might enjoy NBC’s the Sing-off – especially the Dartmouth Aires, preppy college lads singing in harmony. Nope – I was wrong. She left the room at the end of their first number – she did not see the similarity.
This week’s Season 3 episode (#5 if you are counting) featured the return of the Dalton Academy Warblers: New frontman, same blazers and infectious enthusiasm. After my Sing-off failure, I was trepidatious. Would my octogenarian be disappointed: Only with the first teacher to ever be seen interacting with the students of Dalton.
The boys worked their magic on Uptown Girl, pushing it beyond Billy Joel’s original Four Seasons inspired arrangement. Curt Mega, who has played Nick since Teenage Dream, took the lead, paying homage to Frankie’s nasal tenor. Mega is a versatile singer capable of a number of styles. None of this mattered to my octogenarian. “What do the four seasons have to do with that song?” she asked.
As the song climbed the iTunes download chart, Fox released a behind-the-scenes with the Warblers mini-doc to feed the frenzy. I haven’t shown it to Mother. I didn’t want to break that 4th wall and take away that “all is right with the world” feeling the Warblers engender in her. I recommend it to you, however. I think the clip captures the essence of the appeal of the group – and it answers the question – can the Warblers survive without Darren Criss. Warble on!
