Examiner.com

Tony Award winner Victoria Clark will join The New York City
Gay Men's Chorus' 2009 holiday concert.
Photo by Susan Shacter

Despite facing serious financial difficulties, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus has announced it will go forward with its planned 30th anniversary season, beginning with two performances of its holiday concert, Together at Town Hall: A Holiday Celebration of the Power of Love, on Sunday, December 20, 2009, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at New York's landmark theater The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd Street, New York. Tickets are available through the NYCGMC website, www.nycgmc.org.

The concert is a celebration of family, community and love during the joyful season and features holiday and pop standards, as well as classical works. The concert will feature special guests including Victoria Clark who received the 2005 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as a Drama League honor for her role in the critically-acclaimed musical The Light in the Piazza.

"This year has been tumultuous for so many, including the NYCGMC," said Dr. Charles Beale, Artistic Director. "This concert showcases what for many is the true meaning of both the Chorus and the holidays and is a chance for our extended family - past, present and future - to come together in love and friendship and to welcome new friends. In addition to our traditional selection of joyous holiday favorites, this program will be a celebration of the unique and fabulous community that is the New York City Gay Men's Chorus."

The remainder of NYCGMC's planned 30th anniversary season includes Big Gay Sing 2, an unabashedly fun and frolicsome evening on the heels of last season's hugely successful sold out sing-a-long, and High, a hard-hitting and uplifting look at the many sides of addiction, as well as the New York City premiere of Through a Glass, Darkly, a provocative and entertaining semi-staged rock opera about crystal meth addiction, a scourge not just to the gay community, but well beyond. Big Gay Sing 2 will be performed on March 25 and 26, 2010, and High will be performed on July 7, 2010, both at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University campus.

"We are thrilled to begin our 30th anniversary season with a glorious holiday concert. This concert has become a cherished tradition for many," said Brian McComak, Chairman of the Board of Big Apple Performing Arts, Inc., the umbrella organization for the NYCGMC and Youth Pride Chorus.

"While we still face serious fiscal challenges, the spirit, enthusiasm and passion of the 200+ members of the Chorus and the motivating artistic leadership of the talented Charlie Beale will produce a concert that will undoubtedly be one of the cultural highlights of the New York City holiday season."

Earlier this summer, the NYCGMC announced that financial challenges and the downturn in the economy threatened the ongoing viability of the venerable cultural institution. Since then, the Chorus, as well as its Board of Directors and supporters, have worked tirelessly to keep the organization alive. The efforts have enabled the group to go forward with operations and stage the holiday concerts. Fundraising efforts have included a membership drive, a public awareness campaign (including an e-blast from longtime NYCGMC friend Joan Rivers) and outreach to secure support from elected officials and LGBT community leaders. The NYCGMC Board also directed a 27 percent cut in the organization's annual operating expenses. A variety of fundraising events, some including celebrity supporters, are on tap throughout the coming season.

"We remain committed to building an organization that is as well-positioned financially as we are musically," said Peter Criswell, Executive Director. "The mandate that has kept the Chorus at the forefront of LGBT advocacy remains vital and we are uniquely positioned to help advance the dialogue on marriage equality, LGBTQ youth support, hate crimes legislation and other issues relevant to the community."

"In order to do this, however, we still need strong helping hands. While we have dramatically changed our operating model, we are still very much in survival mode. We need for those who have been inspired or moved or entertained by the NYCGMC any time throughout our 30-year history to help us regain our firm foundation."

To make a tax deductible donation or find out more about the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, visit www.nycgmc.org or contact Peter Criswell, Executive Director, at 212-344-1777, ext. 1 or executive.director@bapayny.org.

For information on planning a trip to New York City, visit www.nycgo.com/gay.

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