Date: Fri 18-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

CGMC-Shubert-Clark-Bishop

Full Text:

A Christmas Show With A Decidedly Talented Twist

(with cut)

BY SHANNON HICKS

NEW HAVEN -- Three times a year, the Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus can be

counted on to bring audiences in four locations around the state a new

production complete with song and dance, laughter and sentimentality. For the

1998 Christmas season, the chorus, led by guest director David Bishop, is

three-quarters of the way through its latest escapade.

"Christmas With A Twist" is a combination of traditional holiday favorites

with the high spirits and low comedy that have become the hallmarks of CGMC

performances. Mr Bishop, whose extensive career in musical theater has taken

him to Broadway, regional theaters around the country and major symphony

orchestras, has stepped in this holiday season for longtime CGMC musical

director Winston Clark, who is on a year-long sabbatical.

The chorus presented its third performance of "Christmas With A Twist" on

December 12 to a nearly packed house at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven.

Previous performances had already been offered in New London and Fairfield;

the chorus' final performance will be Saturday, December 19, at the

ITT/Wallace Stevens Theatre in Hartford. For anyone who can laugh at the

silliness of the holiday season and doesn't mind a number of jokes wrapped

around not-too-subtle innuendoes, this show is another winner for CGMC.

A quick-paced variety show of traditional songs and carols in new arrangements

by Mr Bishop, "Christmas With A Twist" includes "Santa Claus Is Coming To

Town," "Ding Dong, Merrily On High," "The Seven Joys of Mary," "Il Est Ne,"

"Jingle Bells," and the very sincere "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" and "Fum,

Fum, Fum."

Act One is the presentation, for the most part, of the traditional works; Act

Two is the more comedic offering. While the first act's "Seasons of Love" was

certainly not one the chorus' strongest numbers, the entire package rings

superb in talent and presentation.

The gentlemen are decked out in their tuxes, their shoes are shined and smiles

are polished, and the Santa hats come out for just a few of the numbers in the

show's first half. The outrageous costumes come out for Act Two.

The CGMC is a wonderful array of talent, regardless of the show it is

presenting. The men have incredible voices. These are not just gay men who

happen to enjoy singing; these are 35 men (actually, 44 members in all, but

there are nine currently on leave) who have gone through the audition process

and have been chosen for their talents to be included in the chorus, who also

happen to be gay.

To reserve tickets for the December 19 performance of "Christmas With A

Twist," contact CGMC at 800/644-2462. Tickets are $25 and $20 each.