The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMSCF) presented its annual Christmas concert, “Holiday Slay Ride,” and it was quite the ride.
In between the 18 songs it performed, there were videos by various chorus members recalling their favorite Christmas memories. Many of those stemmed back to childhood, but the most moving, for me, was from a member who related his experience first singing with the chorus during its holiday show. While the showmanship and performance levels of the concert were, for the most part, beyond reproach, these testimonials are what touched my heart the most and made this concert one of my favorite Christmas memories.
The show started with a medley of three traditional songs that were given new life as the chorus flawlessly enlivened God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wencenslaus, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. From that moment on, Gabe Salazar and GMCSF had us in the palms of their hands with Angels We Have Heard on High. Just when we thought things were going to be all classics, they amazed us with a poppy, campy version of White Christmas with new lyrics, making it a Pink Christmas. Ring Those Christmas Bells featured a bell-ringing choir, which was difficult to hear over the singers, in the cavernous Hard Rock Live space. There’s also a problem with voices echoing in that space that can be distracting.
Light the Legend offered a modern take on the Hanukkah story and Tropical Wave did a credible job with an African Spiritual and later, in the second act, a Kwanzaa song. When they started up The Little Drummer Boy I almost groaned. I have grown to hate the song, since it is so overdone. But GMCSF’s rendition made me a fan again. The first act finale Holding Out For A Hero, in which Santa is clearly the hero of the song was a fun upbeat way to close the second act. It also featured some dancing Santas, augmented by professional dancers.
The second act opening gave those professional dancers a chance to shine. ANV Dance Company founder Anthony Velazquez and company member David Harris got to do a very tongue in cheek parody of Hey Big Spender from “Sweet Charity.” As the chorus sang Hey Big Santa, they easily mastered the intricate Fosse-esque choreography, as they flirted with two muscly Santas from the chorus (Adrian Novello and Peter Biscuitto) and looked damn good doing so in some skimpy costumes. They were used throughout the show to add a little spice whenever needed. Were they ogled and objectified? Hell, yes! But, it was all in good fun.
Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Tree followed and then Jonathan Sanz worked a solo of Te Deseo Feliz Navidad. The only way to top that number was with a trio of drag queens; community favorites Jessica (Bingo Balls) Channing, was one I recognized. The program listed four drag queens, so I can only assume one was late or had a costume emergency, but the others listed in the program are Pam Demique, Phoenix Sanderson, and Endora. They paraded around the stage moving their lips, sometimes in sync to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You. It was under-rehearsed and kind of like a car wreck, but it didn’t matter, it was still fun.
It wouldn’t be a holiday concert without Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home), which the chorus performed to perfection. Then came the Tropical Wave Kwanzaa song, followed by That Christmas Morning Feeling, from the movie Spirited. It was pleasant enough, but the chorus really brought it home with a rich and melodic rendition of The First Noel followed by the show ender Joy! Joy! Joy to the World.
If you didn’t leave that concert with a little spring in your step and Christmas joy in your heart, your name might be Scrooge.
Holiday Slay Ride
The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida
Hard Rock Live
Dec. 9
