Maine Gay Men's Chorus. Photo by Steven Bridges.
Larry Jackson's final three shows as artistic director of the Maine Gay Men's Chorus take place this weekend, and he plans to give it his all while performing some of his favorite tunes.
The South Portland High School performance will feature a 38-member chorus with piano accompanist Sarah Finney and guest singers Martin Lescoe and Jennifer Miller. Billed as a “Broadway Gala,” the group will perform songs such as “For Good” from “Wicked,” “Someone Like You” from “Dr. Jekyll and Hyde” and “Before the Parade Goes By” from “Hello, Dolly,” as well as a medley of “Oklahoma,” all of which were chosen or approved by Jackson.
“I like the variety show format. I take the music I love and put it all together as logically as possible,” Jackson said.
The choir formed in 1992 and performed for 20 years before disbanding due to financial difficulties, but Jackson began working on reviving it after missing the choir while attending the Portland Pride Festival in 2014. A year later, thanks to word of mouth from Portland's Blackstones Bar and the power of social media, the Maine Gay Men's Chorus performed again during Pride Month and the holidays.
Tommy Waltz, president of the Maine Gay Men's Choir, describes choir members as “stewards of hope, creativity and community,” and that sense of community will be on display this weekend.
One of the chorus' main goals is to create a safe space for its members and the fans who come to its concerts. “That's where we really come from and from where we can go out into the community and stand strong in the face of the aggressive hatred that's being directed at our entire community,” Waltz said.
Incoming artistic director Nate Minnifield agrees: “I think it’s really wonderful that the choir has become a space for so many people.”
Jackson, Waltz and Minnifield all spoke about what they like best about the show.
“My favorite part of every performance process is seeing the proud looks on members' faces when they accomplish something they never thought possible at the beginning of rehearsals,” Minnifield said.
Waltz says it's rewarding to see chorus members discover talents they didn't know they had, and she loves watching longtime members and newcomers find a groove together. “When you come together in that creative space, it creates a connection.”
Jackson pointed to the moment when the chorus and the audience clicked: “I love putting together a program and when something works and the song finishes and the audience cheers. I live for that, because I know I'm making people happy. And making people happy is what performing is all about.”
Maine Gay Men's Chorus Broadway Gala
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m., South Portland High School, 637 Highland Ave., $20 advance, $25 at the door, mainegaymenschorus.com
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