Photo Flash: Take the A Train - NYCGMC Sings Strayhorn

For their 27th annual Gay Pride concert, The New York City Gay Men's Chorus offered a one-night-only celebration of the music and lyrics of Billly Strayhorn. "Take the A Train, NYCGMC sings Billy Strayhorn" played Monday, June 18 at 8PM at The Nokia Theatre, Times Square (1515 Broadway at 44th St.). 

Directed by Tony Award-winner Joanna Gleason and written by Gleason and Tony-nominated book writer Jeffrey Lane, "Take the A Train" featured all-new arrangements by Alan Broadbent, a Grammy Award-winner for his arrangements for Natalie Cole and Shirley Horn.  Musical Director Casey J. Hayes led NYCGMC the event featuring guest stars, Broadway's Judy Blazer and Darius de Haas, and pop jazz ensemble Uptown Express.

Since their inception, The New York City Gay Men's Chorus has presented tributes reflecting on the work of some of New York's most prominent gay songwriters such as Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein.  Continuing the tradition, "Take the A Train" saluted legendary jazz composer and arranger Billy Strayhorn. Best known for his 20-year collaboration with Duke Ellington, Strayhorn was an openly gay African-American man in an era when everyone else was firmly entrenched behind the closet door. Remembered for such hits as "Take the A Train" and "Lush Life," many of his remarkable compositions reflect a sensibility that is distinctly gay, even if this subtext never entered the consciousness of the greater public.

"Take the A Train - NYCGMC sings Billy Strayhorn" was produced with the support of Merrill Lynch, ACFEA Tour Consultants, Phillip Rubin and Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc.

Photos by H.E. Yhoman

Top row: director Joanna Gleason, NYCGMC Interim Music Director Casey J. Hayes. Bottom row: Special guest artists Darius de Haas and Judy Blazer

Special guest artists Darius de Haas and Judy Blazer

Top row: NYCGMC Interim Music Director Casey J. Hayes with NYCGMC President Jim Vivyan and Vice President Keith Butler. Bottom row: Director Joanna Gleason with Special Guest artists Darius de Haas and Judy Blazer