Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles proudly announced their new and exciting 2009/20010 season on August 27th at Andaz West Hollywood. On hand for the celebration was the comedic star of stage and screen Carole Cook, who was introduced by GMCLA's Artistic Director, Hywel Sims, as a great friend to both GMCLA as well as the Gay community at large. The evening included a performance by GMCLA's own NPYNK performing a Show Business/Hollywood medley ("There's no Business Like Show Business" & "Hooray for Hollywood") and "Tonight" from West Side Story. "I think GMCLA is one of the best organizations I know. I just wish they took women. I would join," remarked Ms. Cook. Adding, "Not only does NPYNK sing beautifully, but I want to have a dress entirely made out of those beautiful pink ties they wear ... I'd need about 100 of them."
GMCLA will be SINGING OUT with a highly anticipated 31st season that begins in December with a magical rendition of the enchanting splendor of NUTCRAKER, with a blending of Tchaikovsky's familiar holiday songs - When Clarence Stahlaum receives a ballerina as a gift, he's privately delighted. But after his bullying brother shatters the gift, all seems lost. But it's not; it's just beginning. In June GMCLA offers L'Amour (Love.Freedom.Beauty.Truth), music from the movies of Baz Luhrmann. Baz Luhrmann mixes Bollywood and grad opera to create magical, musical films, which defy convention and escape easy description. GMCLA will transform the popular Hollywood landmark known as the Avalon into a temple, where GMCLA will pay homage to the unique style of Baz Luhrmann with a special version of music from his famous Red Curtain Trilogy (Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet and Strictly Ballroom).
GMCLA will also be REACHING OUT through GMCLA's Alive Music Project -AMP- which has already received rave reviews from teachers, students and researchers. GMCLA may call Los Angeles home, but their reach is national. LA is a place where creativity is celebrated as much as celebrity, and where "coming out" happens in many different ways. This year GMCLA comes out by moving between different neighborhoods, challenging musical boundaries and launching our unique music education program in area high schools. GMCLA singing members visit area high schools and use new and traditional music to encourage discussion about being gay, and about how our quest for full equality challenges everyone to be different people. So far GMCLA's AMP has reached more than 500 students. Now it's time to launch the program county-wide. GMCLA's Alive Music Project -AMP- provides students with a well-rounded mixture of music education, exposure to multifaceted live performance, and legally mandated diversity training. All content has been aligned with National and California State Education Standards. GMCLA's AMP has been tested in three different pilot programs, all yielding overwhelmingly positive responses from students to the live performance experience, as well as the social, educational and artistic content provided. GMCLA's AMP has been proven to help engage students in the important work of comprehending and discussing the complexities surrounding human rights, civil rights, and the LGBT struggle for equality. This program actively promotes the reality that our community's struggle for equal rights is not only universal, but also an issue that has and can affect any group of people who find themselves in the minority. GMCLA is dedicated to proving that music and song are community building. To that end, AMP unites GMCLA chorus members and young audiences on their own turf in an effort to highlight the unique experiences shared by all humans-regardless of race, class, gender, age or sexual orientation. We are committed to changing hearts and minds through music, and inspiring students to use their art in order to make their voices heard!
In addition, on October 12th, 2009, GMCLA offers an early extra performance of THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER - An Epilogue. This unique performance is co-produced by GMCLA and the Madison Project and made possible in part by generous underwriting from Robin Fish. Eleven years ago, Matthew Shepard was killed in Laramie, Wyoming. Matthew's murder ignited a firestorm of worldwide protests, provoking award-winning playwright Moises Kaufman to create Laramie Project, the story of how oNe Young man's death affected a city and the world beyond. What's changed in Laramie in the last ten years?
For more information about GMCLA's 2009/2010 season by visiting www.gmcla.org.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Morris
NPYNK members Chris Etscheid, Markus Honaker, Zach Herries, Norge Yip with Carole Cook (center)
Hywel Sims (GMCLA Executive Director), Carole Cook, Michel Morauw (Andaz Hotel General Manager)
