Penn 6-5000 celebrates centennial at concert

About 1,100 people turned out to watch the Pennsylvania 6-5000 light up the stage last Thursday night for their Centennial concert celebration. The all-male a cappella group was joined by special guests The Inspiration and the University of Vermont's Cat's Meow. Harmonizing to the tune of "Roly Poly Fishheads," the men opened their first set sporting different water-related outfits ranging from sailor uniforms to a towel. From plaid skirts to polyester dresses, the group's second set had each singer dressed as a female. Calling themselves the "Penn Chicks 5000," members sang a Tina Turner medley including selections from such favorites as "What's Love Got To Do With It" and "We Don't Need Another Hero." The set also included alumnus Jerrold Johnson singing a parody of "Like a Virgin." The audience went wild as the senior performed this Madonna original in deep bass voice while improvising his own choreography. The show ended with the group's signature song, "Come on Eileen." The number was the last for College senior Thomas Ward, who belted out this crowd-pleaser with emotion and energy. College sophomore Marissa Barnes said she felt his effort was unparalleled. "I've heard him sing it a few times, and that's the best I've ever heard it done," she said. "It's the song everyone in the audience comes to hear." Penn 6-5000 alumnus Peter Elliot said that he thought the Centennial show was a personal best by the group. "This was, if not the best, one of the top three Penn Six shows I've ever seen," he said. "They were energetic, poised, and once again dazzled and won the hearts of the audience." College freshman Mark Milstein agreed. "By far, it was the most entertaining show I've seen all year," he said. Johnson said the show was significant because it restored a feeling of confidence that the group may have lost due to some less successful performances. "I think it made up for a couple of weaker performances we may have had early on," he said. Johnson attributed this show's success to a high level of enthusiasm on-stage. "The energy that we had on stage imbued the audience with energy, and made for a fantastic performance," he said. "To sum up, I dig it."