Bay Ridge

Rhapsody Players perform at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge

Vocal Ensemble Helps Raise Funds for Church

June 27, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Rhapsody Players perform at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge. Eagle photo by John Alexander
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The Rhapsody Players vocal group, under the direction of founding member John Heffernan, helped usher in the “100th Summer of St. Mary’s Church” on Saturday.  The Antiochian Orthodox church, located at 81st Street and Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge, is celebrating its centennial this year.  

While the church has been at its current location since 1950, its roots reach back to 1917 when the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral, now known as St. Mary’s Church, came into existence and took up residence in a former synagogue on Boerum Place in Downtown Brooklyn.

“This is the third time we’ve performed here and it feels like home,” Heffernan told the audience. He then introduced the church’s pastor, the Rev. Michael Ellias, who offered a blessing.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile praised the Rhapsody Players and said that he was pleased to be able to support them with yearly City Council grants. Also attending was Gentile’s Chief of Staff Justin Brannan.

Gentile told the Brooklyn Eagle, “As a big fan and supporter of the Rhapsody Players and the great charity work they do through music — and an equally big fan and supporter of Pastor Ellias and the great work he does with St. Mary’s — suffice to say, this was an event on my calendar that I could not miss. A great time for a great cause!”

The members of the Rhapsody Players are John Heffernan, Anthony Marino, Colleen Martin-O’Donnell, Donna Heffernan, Bernard Smith, Kiernan Hamilton and new addition Renee Titus. The guest vocalist for the evening was St. Mary’s own Connor Mayrose. They were accompanied by a six-piece band.

The well-received concert featured a virtual songbook of pop and rock songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. There was something for everyone, from the Mamas and the Papas and the Moody Blues to the Bee Gees, Lionel Richie and Meat Loaf.

They opened the show with a rousing rendition of the R&B classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Highlights included a stunning performance of the Etta James standard “At Last,” performed by new member Titus and Mayrose’s heartfelt rendition of the Michael Jackson hit “Ben.” Both received well-deserved standing ovations for their efforts.

An emotional moment occurred when Mayrose dedicated the Barry Manilow ballad “I Am Your Child,” to the memory of Nancy Davis, a St. Mary’s parishioner who died days before.

The Players ended with a powerful take on the McCoys’ 1965 hit “Hang on Sloopy.” Marino took the lead on it and had the audience up and singing and dancing along.

 

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