The Weeklings packed a wallop on Tuesday, getting a socially distanced crowd dancing to Beatles tunes in the grassy aisles of a drive-in benefit for the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
It was sweet music to Jane Genesi’s ears.
“It’s so great to be outside again,” said the North Haledon resident, who had COVID-19 in March. “I was flat on my back for six weeks.”
Some 156 vehicles, paying $100- to $125 per carload, came to the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township, said MPAC General Manager Ed Kirchdoerffer.
Patrons heard a blazing 90-minute set from Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger, John Merjave and Joe Bellia, a.k.a. Lefty, Zeek, Rocky and Smokestack Weekling.
The band covered all phases of the Fab Four songbook, including a clever update of a Rubber Soul track, The Word, which will be featured on an 80th birthday album tribute to John Lennon.
Also on the musical menu: Beatle-y originals from 3, the new Weeklings CD; the title song from the Tom Hanks movie That Thing You Do; and a bouncy ’60s nugget from the Easybeats, Friday on My Mind.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin. Click/hover on images for captions.
This Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, the arts center returns to the spacious field for a drive-in version of Manhattan Comedy night, with standups Tom Cotter, Johnny Lampert and Kerri Louise. Preferred parking is $125 per car, general admission is $100 per car.
A little comedy should be welcome for everyone, but especially for MPAC.
The Morristown-based theater hasn’t had much to laugh about this year. Since the coronavirus pandemic shut down indoor events statewide in March, MPAC has laid off all its part-timers and half its full-time staff.
