Love is in the air in Boston in June.  We all breathe a collective sigh of contentment as the cold air floats away to make room for balmier breezes.  The flowers melt into a glorious rainbow, reminding us that the winter is behind us, and we can look forward to a few magnificent months of summer sunshine.  The surest sign that happier times are upon us is the splendid celebration of self-expression that is known all over the world as ‘Pride’ and one of the most anticipated elements of this glorious week-long fête is the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus’ Pride concert.  Gone is the sweetness of the holiday concert, and the serious and touching tone of the spring concert, BGMC’s Pride concert was full to the brim with the very essence of the summer season- color, excitement, laughter, and lots and lots of sequins.

This year’s concert, Divas, was a tribute to all the great female performers that have touched our lives- ranging from the Broadway legends of yesteryear, to the celebrated pop artisits of today.  Two truly phenomenal guest stars joined the chorus in this sparkling display; the hauntingly beautiful Claire Philippe, and the incomparable Leigh Barrett.  In the true style of BGMC, each section of the delightful event was so full of soul that it was hard to decide if you should laugh out loud or cry at their heartfelt candor.  I did both.

During the “Diva Drive-By,” the chorus led us on a dizzying jag through the music of twelve of the most beloved singers in the world.  From Dolly Pardon to k.d. lang, no genre was left untouched.  The chorus was absolutely inspired in their rendition of two short Karen Carpenter numbers, “Close to You” and “Goodbye to Love”.  A huge fan of Carpenter myself, I was extremely touched by the loving tribute given by Bill Spera.  Later, the stage exploded in a bawdy celebration of Lady Gaga as the chorus sang “Bad Romance” as a backdrop to BGMC’s nod to one of the most iconic dance numbers since “Thriller”.   In the “Soul Sisters” portion of the night, we were treated to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “And I am Telling You” (Philippe did this with every bit of passion and sophistication you might expect of a Broadway superstar), and a show stopping treatment of “Proud Mary” that literally brought down the curtain.  What a fantastic dance routine!

After intermission, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Cher and Madonna were all given their due.  I especially appreciated the Glo-Stick rave that accompanied Madonna’s “Ray of Light.”  It put a huge smile on my face and completely made up for the“ping-pong-paddle” debacle that I so hated from the last concert- THIS is the way to use a hand prop, boys!  As the chorus presented “Diva of the Stage,” I was delighted to hear Barrett perform “Losing My Mind” from Follies.  It was so beautiful that it was hard to believe anything could top it, but as they prove again and again, the BGMC boys had a few more surprises up their sleeves.  Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” had a particularly witty bite, and I could not be more impressed with the stellar dance moves of trio, Izzy Berdan, Evan Crothers, and Kaveh Riahi.  The night was topped off by everyone’s favorite diva, the woman who defined diva, Judy Garland, and the chorus gave us everything we could have ever wanted to hear; “Get Happy”, “You Made Me Love You”, and ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.  There were eyes tearing up all over the Cutler Majestic.  Of course, never ones to end on a sad note, the chorus’ encore piece revved us up again as we all danced the “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.

There was so much to love about this concert.  The dancers were, as always, phenomenal in both spirit and execution, and the staging and choreography this time around was light-hearted and very well implemented.  The skilled hands of Music Director Reuben Reynolds, let the chorus with his legendary candor and humor.  I also want to take a moment to mention how much I adore Chad Weirick, the Assistant Music Director and Accompanist.  Did anyone else take a moment to watch this man play the piano?  He is captivating to watch and an unsung hero as a performer. His presence is a boon to the whole BGMC organization.

It has been a truly wonderful season for the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus.  I am continuously delighted by the quality and the passion that this group of performers bring to Boston and the greater community, and I am ever touched by the compassion and thoughtfulness put into each show.  I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for us next season!

Disco lights in action!  Photo by Tony Scarpetta

There’s just no show that can capture my heart like a Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert.  With warm ballads, beat boxing, the worm, a gaggle of dancing cowboys, and a startling tribute led by one of Boston’s finest actors, We the people was no exception to this claim.  It makes sense to talk about this prodigious concert in two parts, as Music Director, Ruben Reynolds must have had in mind when he set them apart in two acts.  First, I’ll discuss the informal celebration of love and peace, and then the “exploration of marriage equality” which came after intermission.

Gwyneth Walker, a distinguished modern composer, is known for her works celebrating the natural peace and beauty of the Earth.  The BGMC performed a trio of her works at the beginning of the concert and I have to say it is the finest I have ever heard them sound.  The beautiful pieces were sophisticatedly caressed by their voices, and the harmonies were perfect.  I felt myself instantly carried away to a better place, and was so enraptured by their ability to shine as a choir in the classic sense without the colorful stage business.  This sweet and warm moment was followed up by a little fun, when, with classic barbershop sound and classic BGMC camp, a quartet of fabulous gentlemen performed “Standing on the Corner” from Losser’s The Most Happy Fella.  They were almost (but not quite) outdone, though, by the tender duet that followed them.  While I don’t usually like to single out individuals in choral groups, I have to say that I was deeply moved by Paul Consoli’s smooth and easy voice in the Gershwin classic, “A Love Story”.  While I enjoyed the several pieces that followed, “A Love Story” echoes in my mind still, as the real defining song from the first half of the concert.  Of course no performance would be complete without the BGMC varsity dance troupe, and I loved their cowboy chic interpretation of the old-time hit, “Cindy”.  What an energizing and fun way to close out the first act!

When the chorus took the stage for the second half of the performance, I don’t think I was fully prepared for the powerful musical exploration I was about to undertake.  My first clue, though, was the arrival of John Kuntz ( He was the writer and sole actor of my favorite show of 2009, The Salt Girl, reviewed here).  Narrating with dynamism, but without interruption, he was a perfect guide as the chorus led us through a series of musical interludes, from “America’s Promise- We Hold These Truths” and “The Objections- They Said No!” songs about the seeds of the battle for the right to marry, right through the powerful conclusion, “The Colors of Love” which celebrated the right for us all to be seen as capable of loving and understanding the importance of unifying families.  True-life testimonials from married couples in the chorus, from long time sign language interpreter, LeWana Clark and her partner, and from former legislator and long time gay right’s activist Marjorie Clapprood (in a stunning ensemble), laced seamlessly through the music, turning it into more of a theatrical one-act than a choral piece.  It was masterful.  Mark Koval, who wrote the music, lyrics, and narration, should be proud.  The piece is ever so much more touching than the stale tribute to community outreach, “The Story of You” that the BGMC performed at their holiday concert.  It had all of the spirit, sophistication, evocative self-reverence and passion that that piece lacked.

I was touched, and moved to tears many times throughout the piece, but it does stand mentioning that their were several staged moments that I found both confusing and superfluous.  Why, for example, were the chorus members holding up blue and red ping-pong paddles seemingly at random throughout the first movement?  There was no rhyme or reason to the action that anyone around us could ascertain, and it was so distracting that I spent most of the time trying to figure it out and not much time listening to the words of the music.  The final movement also produced a seriously overworked rose metaphor in which the choir held up red and yellow roses in possibly the most awkward physical movement ever given to a man in a tuxedo.  I bet it felt as uncomfortable to do as it was for the audience to watch; their facial expressions sure seemed to reflect just that.  The piece was so beautiful and stirring on its own, I think Neil Donohoe really fell on his face here with the staging.  It would have been so much better to let the chorus move us with their beautiful voices and true conviction rather than trying to distract us with strange hand props.

Hand props aside (and that’s where they should stay from now on, aside), I cannot begin to express my undying love and support for this group of phenomenal men.  They continue to touch audiences with their vigilant dedication to the premise that music can do so much more than entertain; it can enlighten, empower, and energize an entire nation.  Thank you, boys.  Looking forward to Divas!

Standing On The Corner

Gentle. Playful. Warm.  An enveloping feeling of welcome that is effervescent and buzzing with life.  The lasting, echoing flavor of a very good memory.  An evening with The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is more than just your standard choral event.  Each song is lovingly selected at the hands of a dedicated conductor and music director, rehearsed and molded under the tutelage of a brilliant team of artists and musicians with the common goal to peak in perfection during performance time.  What is so inspiring to me about the BGMC is their ability to move an audience through a journey of emotions without ever feeling preachy or self-important.

This year’s holiday concert, Our Home For The Holidays is a wonderful collection of music that spans centuries and continents to evoke a most colorful aural display.  As with many other BGMC holiday concerts, two very distinct portions of the show equally delight and captivate the audience.  For the ease of this review, we’ll call them the “traditions” portion of the show, and the portion of the show that my companion so aptly referred to as, “a feast for the eyes”.

During the “traditions” portion of the concert, the audience was embraced by a few classic John Rutter carols, and then a trio of Rachmaninoff songs.  My heart almost burst when the chorus started the first few notes of “Rejoice, O Virgin”, a personal favorite of mine.  I have never heard it sung in an all male arrangement and it was every bit as beautiful as I imagined it would be.  After Conrad Susa’s “A Christmas Garland” which offered a lovely and delicate trio, and a brief intermission, the chorus reassembled and welcomed Kerry Dowling to the stage.  I have extolled my love for Dowling before (Hi, I love you!) but to hear her perform Fred Small’s “Not In Our Town” (arranged by Kevin Robison) was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  With the chorus behind her in perfect harmony, Dowling’s cogent voice endowed the audience with an extremely harrowing tale of a community coming together to take a stand against anti-Semitism, focusing on the experience of a young Jewish boy and his family.  I was absolutely a mess of tears.  It was remarkably moving and powerful, not just because of Dowling’s vocal prowess, but because the chorus itself underscored her with such resolute enthusiasm.  It is a piece I will not forget for a long time.

Upon the heels of such a moving moment, the “feast for the eyes” portion of the concert breathed a buoyant holiday humor into the room without circumventing the touching music which came before it.  The BGMC never lets me down during the second half of their holiday concert!  This year, the dance team, dressed as elves, led the chorus in a brilliant, original Kevin Robinson medley, charmingly titled “The Elves’ Broadway Christmas”.  Show tune favorites were mixed with classic Christmas lyrics to produce a completely hysterical tribute that any friend of Dorothy (and friend of friend of Dorothy) would be completely tickled by.  I especially loved the Phantom of The Opera and Les Miserables references.  Dowling took to the stage again as Mrs. Claus to help end the night with a bang during “Christmas Samba” where the band of merry elves in Mariachi outfits shook their bottoms across the stage and danced around Dowling in a two foot tall frosted fruit hat!  She had the audience in tears again for the night, only this time time they were tears of joy.  What a fabulous way to celebrate this holiday season!

The BGMC continues to bring inventive holiday concerts year after year- I was shocked to discover that this was my fifth holiday concert and I have adored each and every one.  I never tire of their devotion to the audience- not only during performance, but throughout the year in their support through various outreach programs.  BGMC is unquestionably my choice for yearly donations, and I think it should be yours too.  I’ve decided to provide the link to their contribution area because I’m that serious about it.  Bravo again, friends, and Feliz Navidad!

Oh, the 80’s, decade of my birth.  Long gone are your acid washed jeans, your feathered bangs, your off the shoulder shirts (unless you stop into the Roxy on a Saturday night- 80’s fashion back in style???), long gone are the smooth stylings of Peter Gabriel, Debbie Gibson, and the New Kids on the Block (reunited and it feels so good!) Yes, the 80’s were the greatest 8 years of my life- and yes, that is because I was only alive for 8 of them, but that is not to say that I am any less a fan of the fine music that defined the decade.  That is why I took such utter delight in this weekend’s Boston Gay Men’s Chorus Concert, a tribute to the music of the 80’s aptly titled, “Boys Just Wanna Have Fun”.
While the chorus is usually seen sporting no less than full on tuxedos and cummerbunds, this special Gay Pride edition of the concert, featured 100 of the cities most handsome gentlemen sporting stylish kakis and polos in varying sorbet-inspired colors.  It was actually really helpful in distinguishing the various characters on stage, “I slept with that one,” a portly gentleman behind me said, “the one in periwinkle next to the man in teal and the man in salmon”.  Periwinkle? Salmon?  God, I love the gays.  The assortment of costumes throughout the night proved to be entertaining (hello Mr. T!) and very clever (did those monk robes have removable sleeves??) and in true BGMC form, you never knew what you were going to see next!

As if the flashy costumes weren’t already enough, the wonderful part about attending a BGMC concert is the truly fantastic music.  All the 80’s classics were there, from Gloria Estefan to George Michael.  “Faith”, “Like a Prayer”, “Love Shack”, “Greatest Love of All” and “Private Dancer” were featured numbers, each full of such sparkle that it was hard to remember the originals, and just in case the nostalgia was hitting too hard to hold back the tears and the singing along, Chad Weirick, the Chorus’ Principal Accompanist and Assistant Music Director whipped up fifty more favorites into a fantastic medley that had the audience barely able to stay in their seats.
The dancing in this concert takes the cake.  Previously, the shenanigans of the 2007 Christmas concert were often referred to as the “dance show” among my circle, but Michelle Chasse, choreographer, really turned up the heat for this concert.  Both the “varsity” and “junior varsity” dance troops were in tip-top shape, as committed as they were skillful.  My companion and I were laughing with so much glee at one point that I am sure we disturbed and confused our fellow audience members.
No BGMC concert is all fun and games though, and this Pride-centric concert was no exception.  Ruben Reynolds, long time conductor and BGMC icon, shared a very touching story about the emotional impact that this music still has had on gay culture.  The 80’s were a time of terrible pain, fear, and confusion for so many of our gay brothers and sisters, and knowing this music united us all in both happiness and pain was extremely powerful.  The chorus members donned their Aids Awareness pins, and a beautiful quartet, representing multi-generations, led the choir in a rendition of “That’s What Friends are For” which left nary a dry eye in the entire auditorium and led to a rousing standing ovation.

I’m not usually one to put things so plainly, but I recommend that everyone become season subscription holders to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus.  Their concerts are consistently excellent, their song choices are always timely and clever, the show-choir dances and hilarious skits reinvent themselves year after year, and what they do for the community- uniting generations across tolerance and understanding through music, is something that is truly unmatched in Boston.  I am a long time fan, and will continue to be one.

*photo credit edgeboston.com