Mayor Wu will read “A Peacock Among Pigeons” before the chorus premieres Broadway composer John Bucchino’s choral theater adaptation of the popular children’s book
BOSTON, March 8, 2023—The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) announces today that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will join BGMC on stage March 11 and 12 for its spring concert “Born This Way.” Mayor Wu will read “A Peacock Among Pigeons” before BGMC performs the premiere of Broadway composer John Bucchino’s choral theater adaptation of the popular children’s book.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mayor Wu to the stage with us. We are grateful for Mayor Wu’s strong support of the arts in Boston,” said BGMC Executive Director Sarah Shoffner. “We’re also grateful for the mayor’s strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. State lawmakers around the country are removing hundreds of books with LGBTQ or racial themes from schools and libraries, including “A Peacock Among Pigeons.” It is more important now than ever for our elected leaders to show by example that LGBTQ+-themed books, art, and music belong in our libraries, our schools, and on stage. Art enriches our lives and should be celebrated.”
“As a former BGMC board member and forever groupie, I know the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus has been a powerful ambassador for love, equality, and community here in Boston and around the world,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thrilled to join the chorus on stage for their spring concert and look forward to two concerts celebrating our LGBTQ+ community and building community through the arts.”
“The entire theme of this concert is that everybody—including LGBTQ people— are perfect just the way they are. Our songs explore the ideas of finding yourself, loving yourself, and simply being yourself,” said BGMC Music Director Reuben Reynolds. “This is going to be an incredibly fun and moving concert and we are absolutely thrilled that Mayor Wu will be taking this journey with us.”
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.
“Born This Way” will be performed March 11 and 12 at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. The first half of “Born This Way” opens with “Let It Sing” from the musical Violet, which is about taking care of yourself. Other songs from the first half explore the theme of being true to yourself including the gay anthem “True Colors” and the uplifting “Color Out of Colorado,” which mocks attempts by lawmakers to regulate sexuality. The second half will feature Mayor Wu’s reading of “A Peacock Among Pigeons” followed by the theater adaptation of the book with a full cast from the Chorus and an eight-piece orchestra.
Broadway composer John Bucchino composed the score and wrote lyrics for the choral stage performance of “A Peacock Among Pigeons,” which was originally scheduled to premiere in March 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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.”
Calendar Listing
Boston Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Born This Way” with Reuben M. Reynolds, III, Music Director. Music from Broadway, Hollywood, and Pop rejoices in who we are in the feel-good concert of the Spring! BGMC proudly presents the world premiere of a stage adaptation of A Peacock Among Pigeons, the award-winning book. Join us for a show with vibrant costumes, lighting, an original score from a Broadway composer plus an eight-piece orchestra and 200 singers.
Saturday March 11, 2023 at 8pm and Sunday March 12, 2023 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, groundbreaking community outreach and an innovative educational program. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Reuben Reynolds, the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music and creates social change by providing a positive, affirming image of the LGBTQ+ community. The Chorus is heard live by thousands of people each season and millions 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 has named BGMC one of the top 10 performing arts organizations in the city each year since 2018. BGMC is a Cultural Ambassador — being the first LGBTQIA+ chorus to perform in Poland in 2005, the Middle East in 2015 and in South Africa in June 2018.