Tickets are now on sale for “Born This Way,” to be performed March 14 and 15 by the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) at Jordan Hall. Featuring 200 voices, vibrant costumes, an original score from Broadway composer John Bucchino, and a reading of the award-winning children’s book A Peacock Among Pigeons by Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, “Born This Way” will be Boston’s feel-good concert of the spring!
“The anthem “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga reminds everybody that they are perfect just the way they are. This concert is all about finding yourself and becoming the person you’re meant to be,” said BGMC Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III. “We share that story in an incredibly fun and moving way with the world premiere of A Peacock Among Pigeons.”
Written by Tyler Curry and illustrated by Clarione Gutierrez, A Peacock Among Pigeons is a hopeful LGBTQ-themed children’s book that tells the story of learning how to stand out when you don’t fit in. The book was named the 2016 Top Children’s Book by The Enchanted Page and won the 2016 Cultural Issues and Inspirational/Visionary categories by Early Reader.
Broadway composer John Bucchino, best known for scoring the Broadway musical “A Catered Affair,” which won the New York Drama League’s Best Musical award and received 12 Drama Desk Award nominations, has composed a score and written lyrics for a choral stage performance based on the book. A portion of the costs of adapting the book into a composition were funded, in part, by an Equality Fund grant from The Boston Foundation, and the project was commissioned in partnership with the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus.
“This story is something that the world needs right now, and I’m so proud to play a part in bringing it to the stage,” said Bucchino, whose compositions have been recorded by a range of artists from folk pop icons like Judy Collins and Art Garfunkel to theater luminaries like Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, and Liza Minnelli. “A Peacock Among Pigeons is a story about finding your own way in the world in the most lovely, fantastic, and whimsical way. With 200 voices, colorful costumes, and a small orchestra, this show is going to be absolutely incredible.”
The first half of “Born This Way” opens with “Let It Sing” from the musical Violent which is about taking care of yourself. Other songs from the first half include “Reflection” from the Disney movie Mulan, “I’m Still Queer,” which is a spoof of “I’m Still Here,” from Sondheim’s Follies, “A Message From The Gay Community,” which warns parents that LGBTQ people are trying to convert their children (to be more affirming and accepting of all people), and Taylor Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down.”
The second half will be the world premiere of A Peacock Among Pigeons, featuring a full cast from the Chorus, and an eight-piece orchestra. It will open with Wu reading A Peacock Among Pigeons to share the story with the audience before the Chorus performs Bucchino’s choral stage adaptation.
“ ‘Born This Way’ will be Boston’s feel-good concert of the Spring,” said BGMC Executive Director Craig Coogan.
Calendar Listing
Boston Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Born This Way” with Reuben M. Reynolds, III, Music Director. Features vibrant costumes, 200 voices, and an original score from Broadway composer John Bucchino. Come rejoice in how we are “Born This Way” in the feel-good concert of the Spring!
Saturday March 14, 2020 at 8pm and Sunday March 15, 2020 at 3pm at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston, MA 02115. To purchase tickets, visit www.bgmc.org or call 617-542-SING (7464).
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About the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses. Founded in 1982, the 200-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and groundbreaking community outreach. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III, the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music and creates social change by providing a positive, affirming image of the gay and lesbian community. The Chorus is heard live by more than 10,000 people each season and thousands more through recording, television and internet broadcasts. CBS-WBZ named the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus one of the “top 5” choruses in the city of Boston. The Boston Business Journal in 2018 and 2019 named BGMC one of the top 10 best performing arts organizations in the city. BGMC is a Cultural Ambassador — being the first LGBT chorus to perform in Poland in 2005, the Middle East in 2015 and in South Africa in June 2018.