BWW Reviews: GMCLA Scores With Innovative Holiday Concert

GMCLA's annual holiday concert, this year entitled Comfort & Joy, was presented Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 to sold out houses at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and proved once again to be one of the most innovative and enjoyable holiday concerts around town. With guest director Dr. Timothy Seelig - en route from Dallas, Texas to take over as director of the GMC in San Francisco - firmly in control, the afternoon was a glorious one indeed.

This year saw a return to the famous "The Twelve Days of Christmas" staged by The Foamettes "Black-Light Puppet Spectacular" under the guidance of Phil Hettema: a dazzlingly brilliant display of artistry. It was an annual tradition a few years back and must be seen to be believed. There was also a team of elves performing practically acrobatic feats thanks to choreographer Billy Rugh and ... offering a great Elves' Broadway Christmas, in which they incorporated A Chorus Line, Phantom and other Broadway musical treats in the guise of Christmas madness.

LeeAnn Rimes guested on Sunday (when I attended), with Sheryl Lee Ralph the guest star on the 18th. Rimes lifted her gorgeous Patsy Cline like vocal instrument to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Amanda McBroom's beautiful "The Rose" in duet with the chorus singing "Lo How a Rose". She is truly gorgeous and offered up some heavenly sounds. Particularly moving was "The Rose": she placed a single rose on a stool next to her in memory of those young boys who have senselessly taken their lives this past year as a result of gay-bashing. It brought tears to Rimes' eyes and to everyone else in the house.

Other highlights included: "Sleigh Ride", a simply gorgeous arrangement by Mark Riese of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen", a medley of "Joy", "Silver Bells", a hilarious tribute to Hannukah "Boogie Woogie Hannukah" and the traditional finale of "Silent Night", both sung and silent, in sign language.

Never a let-down, the concert proved once again this year that GMCLA ranks at the top for originality in entertainment.

 

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