CGMC has traveled extensively across North America, representing Chicago in cities including Montreal, New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans. They have also brought entertainment back home, inviting choruses from across the United States and Europe to sing with them here in Chicago. Notable milestones in our recent history include CGMC's induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, multiple performances of the national anthem at Chicago's historic Wrigley Field, and the production of three CDs: Cool Yule, which debuted in November 2001; I Will Be Loved Tonight, a collection of our favorite love (and not-so-in-love) songs that was released in December 2004; and our most recent collection of live recordings, Favorite Things.
Each year the performance season ends with a concert on Gay Pride Weekend. This year's season finale is Over the Rainbow; the musical tribute to Judy Garland will be presented at 4 concerts on June 26 and 27, and July 2.
"With the success of last year's The Boys Are Back in Town concert, we've decided to present our annual Pride concert at a venue in the Lakeview neighborhood," said Keith Goad, CGMC's Board President. "We are also thrilled to take the show on the road the following week, to celebrate Pride in Oak Brook at the Mayslake Peabody Estate."
Over the Rainbow will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, the touchstone of the gay rights liberation movement.
"Judy Garland has long been recognized as an icon in the LGBT community for her expressive vocal talents, dramatic public persona and tragic personal life," said Patrick Sinozich, CGMC's long-time Artistic Director. "Moreover, we're excited to explore her connection to our community through some of her most famous songs; as well as the connection her untimely death may have had to the famous riots at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village."
Musical selections for the concert will include Be A Clown, Everybody Sing, Get Happy, Over The Rainbow, Smile, The Trolley Song, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, as well as moving and humorous pieces exploring the Stonewall events, Before Stonewall and Stonewall Serenade.
Performances of Over the Rainbow at The Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N Broadway, Chicago, are Friday, June 26 at 7 PM, and Saturday June 27 at 3 PM and 7 PM General admission seats are $25 and are available online at www.lakeshoretheater.com or by calling the Lakeshore Theater box office at (773) 472-3492.
The performance of Over the Rainbow at The Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 West 31st Street, in Oak Brook, is Thursday, July 2 at 7 PM. Tickets are $25 for premium seating, $18 for regular seating, and $15 for students/seniors/groups of 6+, and are available online at www.cgmc.org or by calling the Mayslake Peabody Estate at (630) 206-9566.
For further information about Over the Rainbow and general information about The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, visit www.cgmc.org or phone 773-296-0541.
