Southport Magazine

Jennifer Iapalucci, Mark Bachara, Natalie Flow, Mark Deese and Katie Deese will belt out British tunes during six free performances in Franklin Square Park. Photo by Jeffrey Stites.

What: ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation’
When: Fridays through Sundays at 8 p.m.
May 17-19 and 24-26
Where: Franklin Square Park
105 E. Moore St., Southport
Cost: Free!
Info: (910) 278-6581
www.brunswicklittletheatre.com

It’s the time of the season, as The Zombies wrote in the 1968 hit, to take you in the sun to promised lands—and to show everyone that it’s the time for the second British Invasion, right here in Southport.

As Brunswick Little Theatre (BLT) celebrates its 30th year in 2013, it will present “Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation” in downtown Southport’s Franklin Square Park this spring from May 17th to 26th, Fridays through Sundays, beginning at 8 p.m. Plus, every performance will be free.

“Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation” is a musical revue of the 1960s British Invasion, when UK-based rock and pop acts infiltrated the United States’ airwaves. The BLT performances will feature a live local band and vocalists like concert director, Mark Deese, and his wife, Katie, who have been practicing for countless hours at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Mark Deese says the goal of this production is to appeal to a broad audience with songs that withstand generational music trends. He wants to provide a concert of British bands that have remained popular for decades, such as The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and more.

“We’ve done music revues in the past where we have scripts to follow, but this time around we wanted to have more of a concert atmosphere where people just come and listen to their favorite music,” Deese explains.

As practice progresses, Deese says the show has had to evolve, and songs even were booted to develop the most enjoyable show. “We’ve probably cut eight or 10 songs since the beginning of the rehearsals,” the director divulges.

“We originally had ‘Mellow Yellow,’ but we realized it wouldn’t sound has good without a trumpet section. It’s a great song, and people probably know it, but it’s not going to sound good with me in the background playing a mouth trumpet,” he quips.

Like many of the performers, vocalist Jen Iapalucci says she grew up listening to most of the bands the show will honor and is particularly excited to sing one of her favorite hits, “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield.

“I’ve always wanted to sing that song with a band,” she tells. “I just love it; it’s always my go-to karaoke song, and it’s just a song I love to sing.”

Katie Deese says The Zombies’ “Time of the Season” takes the entire group to pull off, which is why she likes it so much. “I’ve had so much fun doing the harmonies—and [‘Time of the Season’] really does have some cool harmonies,” she concedes.

While the outdoor venue provides a canopy of trees, the grassy plain is conducive to much encouraged dancing. “We will see some flower children dancing in the crowd, I’m certain of that,” Mark Deese says with a laugh.

Iapalucci amends that energetic crowds which dance and sing along tend to fuel the energy of the group and are what continue to make these songs fun and popular to perform time and time again.

“It’s really exciting to perform for an enthusiastic and receptive audience,” Iapalucci says. “It’s tried-and-true material, and we’re confident in putting it out there.”

“Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation” also features vocalists Natalie Flow and Mark Bachara, with guitarists Jim Tewell and Stephen Gossin, drummer Eli Fouch, and bassist Joe Martino.

The show will premiere Friday, May 17th at 8 p.m. in Franklin Square Park, with free admission and plenty of room for packed picnics and lawn chairs. For more information, visit www.brunswicklittletheatre.com.