Straight No Chaser was barely into its fourth number at the Kavli Theatre on Dec. 30 when the lights—stage lights, spotlights, hall lights—went out, leaving the singers and the audience in complete darkness.
Within moments, the generator-powered house lights kicked on and the group didn’t miss a beat, performing on a dark stage without microphones for the rest of the evening.
So delighted were onlookers at the act’s professionalism under fire, they gave them a standing ovation after the first song.
“What are the chances this would happen on a night a mostly a cappella group was performing?” said Jonathan Serret, cultural affairs director, after the show.
Although Serret was not at the Kavli in person to enjoy the moment himself, he said he’s heard mostly rave reviews for the group and how it handled what could have been a complete disaster.
“There were a couple of people asking for a refund, but most people seemed really happy,” he said.