When you go to a Mahoney Brothers concert, it's like seeing several bands for the price of one.
This top-shelf impersonation group will bring Elvis, the Beatles, the Beach Boys and more to Mount Carmel Area High School's Beierschmitt Auditorium on Saturday night.
Joseph Cesari, a longtime friend and aficionado of impersonation groups, helped organize the event, with proceeds funding improvements to the Ash Street playground in Kulpmont.
"I've seen impersonation groups in Vegas and all over, but I have never seen another group like this," Cesari said. "They truly are the best I've ever seen."
What makes the Mahoney Brothers unique, Cesari said, is their adherence to authenticity.
"When they do something they don't just do impersonations, they do replications that are amazing," he said. "When they do Willie Nelson, you'd swear it's Willie Nelson, and when they do the Beatles, Tim Mahoney (who does Paul), even though he is right-handed, plays left-handed. And, they use the same, actually the identical, instruments the band played when they were on stage."
Performing with the Mahoney Brothers will be Jay Swanson, who will make up the fourth piece of the ensemble (George Harrison) in the Beatles act.
Some of the other acts that these quick-change artists will "become" include Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond and the Everly Brothers.
Elaborate costumes and wigs, authentic instruments and a winning style all come together in a two-hour program that has made this group a draw for all ages.
Tim, Mike and Brian Mahoney really are brothers, born in New Jersey but loved everywhere, including this area, which they consider part of their backyard. In fact, the group is an annual favorite at Knoebels Amusement Resort, where they have appeared regularly for the past 17 years. They also appeared at Mount Carmel Area High School last year and had an excellent reception, Cesari said. In their 35-year career, they have traveled extensively, including being part of the cast of the Las Vegas Show of the Year, Legends In Concert. They also released an album of original works, "Running Too Long," in 1982.
Perhaps the most attractive thing about the group is that their energy can be contagious.
"They get the whole crowd into it," Cesari said "They are also going to have high school students, dressed in '50s and '60s outfits, the poodle skits and such, that will dance with them, and then pretty soon everyone will be dancing in the rows."
Cesari said the brothers are very personable guys and love meeting people from all over.
"When they do The Beach Boys, afterward they do a meet-and-greet and they enjoy it as much as everyone else and you can tell," Cesari said.
Although ticket sales have been brisk, Cesari promised there will be tickets at the door. Tickets are on sale at Subway, Frackville; Wal-Mart, Coal Township, and Academy Sports, Mount Carmel, or by calling Cesari at 570-373-3561. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
The show will begin with a performance of the Mount Carmel Jazz band at 6:30 p.m.