Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles

What A Treat!
I have heard of the Gay Mens Chorus when I was a kid back in the 1980’s, but I honestly did Not understand what they do, except for Sing!
I did Not know that they put on such Spectacular Shows and the one that I just recently saw out in Glendale, California at The Alex Theatre was Simply Amazing!
I was actually introduced and invited ONLY recently by one of the members and I actually forgot about them, but when he reminded ME about it, I took action and wrote some letters and got My Ticket to go.
For your information, the Gay Mens Chorus is one of the country’s largest all-​male choruses and the first openly gay chorus to tour central Europe (1991), broadcast over Russian TV (1999), tour South America (2006) and perform for two sitting U. S Presidents.
Wow!
Quite Impressive!
The show that I saw was their Holiday Spectacular Brassy, Classy & Sassy which consists of both:
ACT 1
featuring:
PUER NATUS EST
Gregorian Chant Traditional
GLORIA (MVT. 1)
by John Rutter
adapted by Tim Sarsany
THE TIME OF THE SEASON
by Rod Argent
adapted by Tim Sarsany
DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH
Traditional Carol
arr. K. Lowenberg
CAROL OF THE BELLS
by Mykola Leontovich
arr. Peter Wilhousky
ALEGRIA
Traditional Puerto Rican Carol
arr. E. Colon-​Hernandez
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER (CROWN CITY RINGERS)
by Gustav Holst
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski
THE BELLS
by Frank Ahrold
WHAT SWEETER MUSIC
by John Rutter
arr. Bobby Buchanan
OCHO KANDELIKAS
by Flory Jagoda
arr. Bill Bowersock
AVE MARIA
by Joshua B. Himes
CHANUKAH IN SANTA MONICA
by Tom Lehrer
arr. Bill Bowersock
SILVER BELLS
by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
arr. Kevin Robison
and…
ACT 11
featuring:
BAD BOY RHAPSODY
arr. Steve Landau
solos: PJ Celiz, Tommy Guastavino, Santo Ragno, Joshua Skidmore
CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN (SANTA VERSION)
Various Artists
arr. W. Love
solos: Bernie Espinosa, Scott Ackerman, Patrick Beller, Todd Stites
BE A SANTA
lyrics by Betty Comden, Adolph Green
music by Julie Styne
arr. Michael Alfera
THE MAN WITH THE BAG
by Dudley A. Brooks, Hal Stanley, Irving Taylor
arr. Bob Krogstad
SANTA BABY
by Joan Javits and Philip Springer
arr. David Maddux
solos: Ralston Henry, Jonathan Roberts, Joshua Skidmore
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE’S A SANTA CLAUS
by Wesley Whatley, William Schermerhorn
arr. Chad Weirick
solo: Brandon Steele
MARVELOUS HOLIDAY SWEATER
by Eric lane Barnes
solos: Scott Ackerman, Patrick Beller, John Dennehy,
Thomas Guastavino, Shawn Ingram, Steve Goodwillie
ALL THE SANTA CLAUSES
arr. Charles Beale
adapted by David Marenberg
Overall, the show was excellent with a lot of Singing, Dancing and Skits. The show made me laugh quite a bit and is very humorous.
They only do so many shows per year and I was Very Lucky to get a ticket.
They do have various shows around the world because their chorus has many affiliates and so I am more than sure that you can catch one of their shows in many of the major cities in the United States, Canada and in other parts of the world.
I want to also give a Special Thanks to Kevin and Nina for Making My Special Attendance Possible!
See you at their next show!

OMG. I’m surprised there are only 3 reviews on GMCLA considering this organization has been around for 35 years and is one of the premier gay choruses in the nation.
Of course, i’m biases and have been a singing member since 2009. So, Emily M. (below) who saw the Nutcracker show — i was the little candy girl who rolled out of Mother Ginger’s dress.
Since I’ve been involved with the Chorus, aside from our normally scheduled concerts, we have performed for an Obama fundraiser, appeared at the Oscars, ADL Fundraisers, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some others…
We continually do our outreach at local middle schools and high schools through our Alive Music Project to reduce anti-​gay bullying, bust negative stereotypes, and present positive role models for our LGBTQ youth.
Plus the It Get’s Better Tour travels to smaller towns nationwide to deliver this message and start this dialogue in a show/​workshop/​educational experience with students and community members.
For me, personally, the group has not only been an outlet for musical expression (yes, i have always been a choir boy) — but a brotherhood with a mission to change hearts and minds through music.
We’re doing great things for our community — so come check out our shows and be entertained — or come audition and join us!

YES! I loved their Nutcracker show this past Holiday. The chorus has a beautiful, rich sound. Amazing soloists!
Also, the Nutcracker Suite is unbelievable to experience in person. All the actors and dancers provided lots of laughs, too. A complete delight!

They’re a great chorus and put on a fun show.
I saw a Wizard of Oz concert performed by GMCLA once. The guy dressed up as Dorothy wearing a blue gingham overall shorts. And red sequined boots. So very gay!
I’m not one into choruses much because I like a show with my singing but these boys do both well. Hell, they’ve been doing it for 30 years so they must be doing something right!
I’m looking at trying to go to their 30^th Anniversary gala concert at Disney Hall next month. It sounds fabulous!

Taken directly from their website:
Hailed by the LA Times as «one of the last important links to a glorious tradition in music,» the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles has been a notable part of Southern California for over twenty-​five years. Formed in 1979 as a completely volunteer effort of 99 gay men from every area of Los Angeles, GMCLA has grown in size, gained professional artistic and administrative staff, toured nationally and internationally, released eleven compact discs, and appeared with numerous stage, film, and television celebrities.
Among the many «firsts» of this dynamic arts organization, GMCLA became the first gay ensemble ever to perform for a sitting U.S. President; the first openly gay performers ever to be broadcast nationally over Russian television in 1999; the first gay U.S. Chorus to tour central Europe in 1991 (a documentary of this historic tour, entitled Out Loud has been seen by millions of PBS viewers); read the rest of our remarkable history below.
The Chorus performs year round at the national landmark Alex Theatre, and offers outreach concerts all year long to further the mission of building bridges between all communities by sharing our music.