Spotlight: Literature, Laughs and Lyrics Part 1

George Bush may have failed in his bid for re-election, but he is still alive and well in Counterpart's upcoming production, "Jambo Read My Lips." Counterparts, the University's first coed a cappella singing group, will perform one night -- Saturday at 8:15 p.m. in Harrison Auditorium. The show will include a guest appearance by the "Sil-Hoo-Ettes," an all-female a cappella group from the University of Virginia. Members of Counterparts described "Sil-Hoo-Ettes" as the "best female group in the nation." According to tradition, the 12-year-old group always includes the word "jamboree" in its titles for productions because the word is a basic musical term used to describe a gathering of a cappella groups. This year the word is hidden in one of Bush's most famous statements. "We knew we wanted an election theme," Counterparts President Sean Aherne said. Aherne, a College junior, added that each of the songs, in addition to the costumes, choreography and prepared skits in the upcoming show, will relate to yesterday's election. The group's repertoire has included mostly jazz songs in the past, but it is now singing new pop songs as well. Counterparts members would not specify in order to maintain an element of surprise, but they said that the set on Saturday will include various jazz standards plus new songs from Madonna, Annie Lennoz, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. The group also said it will revive an old favorite tune, "Gimme That Wine." "We're trying to strike a balance," said Music Director Dan Coleman, a College senior. "[We're using] our all-jazz repertoire an introducing some new pop into it." "We've managed to blend the best of both worlds," said Counterparts member Seth Goren, a College junior. "We're a melting pot of music." The a cappella group, which consists of six females and eight males who represent every class and every school at the University, practices at least eight hours per week. Ten of its members are returning from last year, while four are new to the group. "We're not your typical a cappella group," said two-year member Sarah Hamilton, a College senior. "Our repertoire is just more diverse than others." Counterparts performs in two big shows -- one each semester -- at the University, and also performs for various other functions throughout the year. The singing group has also released two albums. The first album, "Vintage," was released in 1986 and the second, "In Formal," was released in 1990. The members expect to release a third album in 1993. The show is expected to last about two hours, approximately two-thirds of which will be performed by Counterparts, with the remainder dedicated to the "Sil-Hoo-Ettes." Tickets are available for $5 on Locust Walk or at the door.