'A Cappella Party' at Fringe

The harmonies are fine in "The A Cappella Party," an original musical in which the songs are indeed performed without instrumental accompaniment.

The frat-house plot is a bit of a chore, though, as two a cappella singing groups dis each other like hotheaded contestants on a low-grade reality show. Seems there is an old rivalry at the fictitious Timbucktu U. between the Timbucktones and An Achoired Taste. One's a snooty elitist outfit, while the other styles itself as more laidback but every bit as talented. It only matters because the show's sweet-singing love interests accidentally find themselves on opposite sides of the divide.

The young cast and creators spend too much time on what they hope will be a refreshingly rowdy plot instead of aggressively exploring ways for the music to create moods and ideas. But as hour-long novelties go at the Fringe, it's not bad -- just surprisingly sophomoric, even for a college gang. The singing is generally good, and the huge ensemble at the Warehouse Theatre clearly has a high old time.

-- Nelson Pressley