The Fancy Brigade club leaders talk themes, presentation and camaraderie prior to the big Jan. 1 show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Avenuers
Captain: Bob Fitzmaurice
Years as Captain: 30
2018 Theme: A Whole Zoo World — It is an international celebration of animals and their country of origin.
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
We wanted to do something fun and animals are always a fun theme. It allows everyone to get into character and bring their own personalities into their costume.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
An all-animal presentation with beautifully designed costumes and upbeat choreography that is sure to get the crowd into it!
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
Simply stated, there is nothing like it. We are all in the same boat with stress and worry leading up to those four minutes and 30 seconds of show time, but outside of that, there is nothing we would not do to help each other out and to keep our tradition alive.
Clevemore
Performing Captain: Rocco Tursi
Years as Captain: 2
2018 Theme: Lights, Camera, Action!
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
Our biggest inspiration this year would be the love for classic cinema, with this year’s theme being based around the movies, the possibilities were endless. We needed to come together and decide what was best for our club. With that being said, we wanted to keep it energetic, fun and most of all full of entertainment.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
There is so much to look for in this year’s performance. Charlie Chaplin will guide you through some of the most memorable movie scenes. From silent films to upbeat twists on the classics, the show will be sure to wow everyone.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
Over the past few years, I have really gotten to know my fellow parading and retired captains. I have always looked to past and current captains such as Jim Julia, Bill Burke, Fred Keller, Pete D’Amato, Mickey Adams, Michael Adams and Bob Fitzmaurice, just to name a few for leadership inspiration. Being the youngest in the group they have been so accepting of me. I’m also so grateful to have my dad, Captain Ralph Tursi, standing by my side showing me the ropes. All these men have always shown me what being a captain is all about.
Downtowners
Captain: Anthony Stagliano, Jr.
Years as Captain: 3
2018 Theme: Master-Pieces
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
The inspiration of this year’s theme came directly from the membership. We wanted to start from scratch and create something just as if an artist would. We took a blank canvas and let our imagination run wild.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
This year’s theme runs the gamut of color, creativity and special effects. It is completely filled with head-turning tricks that have not been seen before. So I would say to be on the lookout for a lot.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
We all have been pretty much working nonstop since Jan. 2. So in a way, we are all in the same boat with work ethic and dedication. At the same time, we also experience the same trials and tribulations as each other. Whether it is finance or workload, we can all lean on each other when need be. Even if that is just to sit down and console one another when times get tough. Putting on that big suit on New Year’s Day is just a fraction of what we, as captains, do. Being able to call each other when we need help or advice is part of that camaraderie we all share.
Golden Crown
Captain: Bob Runowski
Years Captain: 9
2018 Theme: Out of the Web
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
The motivation for this year’s theme was a commitment to a theatrical, dramatic production.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
Our presentation will take you on an “emotional journey” to a secret garden. We hope everyone enjoys the show!
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
There’s a competitive nature, for sure. But above that, there’s a mutual respect that comes from understanding the amount of work and effort that go into each year.
Jokers
Captain: David Josaphouitch
Years Captain: 1
2018 Theme: The Book of Wizardry: A Sorcerer’s Guide
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
When we began talking about this year’s theme, we wanted to put together a presentation that left the audience in awe. We wanted to incorporate tricks and gimmicks that were both entertaining and exciting. And, when we asked ourselves what theme could incorporate entertainment, excitement and magic, we landed on the idea of wizards.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
Mummers fans should look not only for wizards but also for druids, trolls and witches. Most importantly, fans should pay close attention because each scene the characters walk them through a story in itself, build on the prior scene, and be filled with “magic.”
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
Mainly we discuss how everything is going. We don’t really get into heavy details, everyone tries to keep the big secret of what they are doing for as long as possible. I talk to my good friend Chris Miceli the most out of all the captains, as it’s his first year as captain as well. We look out for each other and try to help each other out any way we can.
Bill McIntyre’s Shooting Stars N.Y.B
Captain: Michael Adams
Years Captain: 7
2018 Theme: Beyond the Stars
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
This year’s inspiration came from the age-old question: Is there life “Beyond the Stars?” As we brainstormed for the 2018 parade, we wanted to combine the traditional aspects of Mummery with the modern advances of technology that the Philadelphia Convention Center allows us to take advantage of. Our goal is to transport you to a planet never seen before by mankind and join our astronauts on a mission of a lifetime.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
Since we are the first brigade marching in this year’s parade, we want to leave an impression so lasting that everyone is still talking about the Shooting Stars long after the parade is over. Look for your traditional Mummers costumes with a modern flair, powerful music with more than 100 of Mr. Mac’s boys and babies, kicking it out, with one of the coolest set designs ever seen in the Convention Center.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
Words cannot express the respect and admiration I have for each and every captain, not only marching in this year’s parade, but every captain that’s ever had the privilege of leading their respective club on New Year’s Day. I consider each and every captain a personal friend of mine, we all share a common bond, the love and future success of our Fancy Brigade Division. Good luck to all my fellow captains, especially my little cousin and first-year captain of the Jokers NYA, David Josapouitch!!
Purple Magic
Captain: Michael Orlando Jr.
Years Captain: 2
2018 Theme: Voodoo
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
The inspiration behind this year’s theme is that we wanted to step it up a notch from last year’s performance. I have seen this theme done before and I wanted to be able to add my own twist and special effects to it, and make it that much better.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?Mummers fans should look for the colorful costumes and the choreography, that is at a much faster pace, and some powerful dancing. It entails a fountain of youth, and takes you back in time.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
We help each other when needed. We are always there when someone needs a helping hand, whether it is help to push a float, help on getting materials, fundraising or to run ideas by one another. Being a Mummer, you are like family. It is one big family, and I am happy to be a part of that.
Satin Slipper NYB
Captain: Christopher Miceli
Years Captain: 1
2018 Theme: The Pagemaster
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
This year, our club chose a theme that is unlike one Slipper, or any other Fancy Brigade has ever done before.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
Mummers fans should look forward to a performance filled with creative costuming, dramatic concepts and unexpected surprises. It will be an overall fantastic production.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
When you have a group of people competing to win, there’s always a chance that there will be contention that develops. Fortunately, that’s not the case, and there’s a lot of camaraderie and closeness between the captains.
2nd St. Shooters (20th Anniversary)
Captain: Rich Lind
Years as Captain: 5
2018 Theme: Sugar N Spice, But Not So Nice
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
It was one of our rookie members who came to us with this idea, and after talking for a few hours, the ideas just kept flowing.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
High energy dancing, lots of colorful suits and a whole lot of candy to fill everyone’s sweet tooth.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
It’s like a brotherhood of sorts. Even though it is a competition, we all look out for each other and are willing to help the other succeed in putting on the best show we all can.
Saturnalian
Captain: Jack Hatty Jr.
Years Captain: 10
2018 Theme: The Greatest Show on Earth
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
We looked for a theme that would entertain. Pure and simple, what better theme to portray than the most entertaining act of all time, the circus? Our show is a cross between vintage circus acts and modern-day featurettes. Each act has its unique style, and will bring an amazement that has not been seen in a Mummers show before.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?Creativity. Energy. Amazement. The Barnum and Bailey circus ceased its operations earlier this year, so our goal is to bring that back into everyone’s minds. As a kid and even as an adult, we all recall attending the circus and didn’t know where to look because of all the action and anticipation. On New Year’s [Day], we are going to do our best to bring back that feeling inside the Convention Center.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
When we all get together, it’s always a fun time. It doesn’t happen as often as we would all like, but usually it’s pretty easy to put business and rivalry aside and just enjoy each other’s company.
South Philly Vikings NYB
Captain: Pete D’Amato
Years Captain: 15
2018 Theme: King Neptune’s Return to the Reef
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
Through research, we were inspired by videos we found of visual movement and the originality of it, which went along with the idea of bringing the coral reef to life.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
They should be looking for a lot of visual effects done with large groups of people.
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
It’s great. I have some really, really good friends that developed from these captain-to-captain relationships, and we would share any wisdom among ourselves that would help in any way in leading our individual organizations.
Brigade: Spartans
Captain: Drew Averill
Years as captain: 2
2018 theme: Theatre of the Masquerade
Talk about the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
When we sat down this year to start throwing theme ideas around, we wanted something more artsy and different. One of our members presented a theme based on an Edgar Allen Poe story, and Edgar Allen Poe was definitely artsy and different, but also a great author. We feel as if we can get the storyline across with our performance and include a Mummery twist. We will be putting on a spectacular show for the judges, and most importantly, the viewers.
What should Mummers fans look for in your presentation this year?
One thing I can tell everyone is to keep an eye out for the “unexpected guest” in our show this year.
I know the viewers are going to love our elaborate dresses and suits made by our great costumer. They’re going to feel the power of our choreography in the show that our awesome choreographer put together. The music that my wife and a few other members put together is incredible. Our members really put in the dedication and enthusiasm that we needed from them all year. So there’s a lot of great things fans can look for New Year’s Day!
Discuss the camaraderie that you and your fellow captains share.
Being a captain, along with the other great 11 captains, is amazing. People don’t understand the mutual respect each captain has for the other clubs. The number of phone calls I receive throughout the year from these guys, especially last year, my first year as captain, is truly amazing. Phone calls to see if I need help with floats, feathers, sequins, giving me advice on what to expect as New Year’s Day approaches. We compete against each other but there isn’t one captain out there who wants to see another captain or club fail. A captain will do anything for their club, as it’s a responsibility they sign up for, but for the most part, captains will do anything for any club, and it’s truly special to be associated with them guys.
