Clark Barrios and his band of Atlantic City Boys hit the Savannah Center Friday and turned it into a Jersey rock and roll party for two sold out shows.
Barrios, along with E. Michael Evans, Sammy Pawlak and Rusty Smith, combined with a torrid seven-piece band to cover everything from the Four Seasons to the Beach Boys to Neil Diamond, and the Drifters.
Watch video of last night’s performance:
There was also plenty of dancing, comedy and audience participation.
Put it all together and this Atlantic City crew proved they can hold their own with any boy from Jersey.
Barrios, who will be coming back to Savannah for a Billy Joel tribute on Nov. 21, once again displayed why he is one of the most talented and versatile performers in The Villages.
He hit all the Frankie Valli high-notes on “Dawn,” “Rag Doll” and “Walk Like A Man.” But the real highlight came when Barrios, wearing a white tux, roamed the audience while leading a boisterous sing-a-long to “Sweet Caroline.”
Villagers were clapping, singing and waving their hands in the air. Barrios jumped around like a cheerleader, holding out his microphone and getting the full house involved.
“I think Clark Barrios sings the best vocals in The Villages,” said Villager Debbie Johnson. “He’s so professional and has so much energy.”
Barrios and all the Atlantic City boys came out in the audience to serenade Johnson with a tender version of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” She went right along with the four guys, acting out her part, and tossing in some slick dance moves.
“I’m just a hambone,” said Johnson, who teaches “group synergy” aerobics in The Villages.
Villagers Beau Willingham and his wife, Debbie, were also in the audience and had a chance to sing with the boys when they held a microphone in front of the couple.
“It was fun,” Beau said. “We always come to see them because there’s a lot of excitement in the show.”
“They’re all so energetic,” Debbie Willingham said. “I love the way they sing the old songs.”
This was a night that saw the group offer a variety of musical styles. They presented a gorgeous acapella medley featuring: “It’s Alright,” “Oh Carol,” “Under The Boardwalk” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
It was back to the ‘50s for some street-corner harmony on “In the Still of the Night” and “Save the Last Dance For Me.”
But the boys showed their rock and roll hearts on “I’m A Believer” and really turned up the heat on the Four Seasons’ “Who Loves You.” The had the old Savannah Center jumping when the house lights were turned up and everyone was standing and dancing to a cover of the Beach Boys’ “Do You Wanna Dance.”
This highly entertaining and raucous musical evening was best summed up by the Atlantic City Boys in one Four Seasons’ song: “Oh What a Night.”