The first act, about which Simon is none too pleased, is a group of
singing monks known as "Brother Theo and the Monkeyshines," and
they are scheduled to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from
Handel's Messiah. The judges' eyebrows are raised, however, when
Brother Theo (Bill Miles) is greeted by show-host Brian. As the
mini-interview takes place, Brother Theo, gesticulating wildly,
communicates to Brian that the monks are currently under a vow of
silence.
"What?" Brian cries in astonishment. "You're going to perform the
Hallelujah Chorus while under a vow of silence???" Brother Theo nods
sheepishly. Brian shakes his head wearily. "Whatever. . ."
he mumbles as he exits the stage.
The monks (Katy Babcock, Sheri Demaree, Deb Endres, Lisa Evans, Travis
Fry, Becky James, Patrisha Kennedy, Lindsay Koop, Luke Lawrence, Holly
Markley, Mindy Markley, Candice McLaren, Molly Oltrogge, Christy
Richardson, Jon Shafer, Karen Sutula, Mandy Whitner, Desiree Wicker, and
Tonia Wilson) take their places and the orchestral accompaniment begins.
Right where the first word should be sung, the monks start raising and
lowering little placards, with words or syllables on them, in perfect
time with the music. The audience erupts in laughter at the
excruciating cuteness of it all. Simon shakes hs head in disgust.
Every word or syllable of the (slightly abbreviated) Hallelujah Chorus
is signed—even where they are two lyric lines going on at once.
One adorable little monk-ette (Karen Sutula) had the "and" placard, and
had to run from one side of the stage to the other, as her word was used
in different sentences and contexts.