The winter holidays have given the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus plenty of reasons to celebrate; it is beginning its twentieth season; it has just released its first recording, Cool Yule; and it was inducted into Chicago’s Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in October. Photo by Israel Wright
The more theatrical first act opened with a lengthy dance piece (choreographed by Tim Gallagher) involving giant snowballs, ribbon sticks and the manipulation of banners of fabric. After the chorus made its entrance, a trio of angels performed The Angels Medley (“Johnny Angel,” “Earth Angel,” and “Angel Of The Morning”). A lackluster doo-wop version of “Here Comes Suzy Snowflake,” was followed the delightful ballet of “Waltz Of The Snowflakes,” with choreography by Keith Elliott. Music about caroling (“Here We Come A-Caroling” and “Caroling, Caroling”) followed. “Caroling, Caroling” featured elaborate “Riverdance”-like choreography by Eric Jorgensen that required better dancers, although the dancing chorus members gave it their best effort. “And Now another Point of View,” sung (to the tune of Sondheim’s “Broadway Baby”) by Brian Snow as a lonely Hanukkah candle bemoaning his fate, was an absolute joy. The rousing Klezmer swing of “Hot Hanukkah,” brought the first act to a blazing close.
The second, more straightforward choral, act opened with Sonelius Kendrick-Smith’s glorious solo on “O Holy Night.” CGMC’s joyful reading of “Winter Wonderland,” featuring references to “queers getting married in the snow,” “yellow snow,” and sound effects (“squish”) was a delight. The four hand-bell ringers for “I Hear Bells” were a marvelous touch that rang true. The centerpiece of the act, four gospel numbers (“Yonder Come Day”…featuring Sam Cook’s brilliant solo, “Mary Had A Baby,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and “Rise Up Shepherd and Foller”) absolutely raised the roof. The Hawaiian holiday tune “Melekalikimaka” featured holiday greetings in more than a dozen languages. The act closed, appropriately, with that musical cup of kindness, “Auld Lang Syne.”