Its possible that in the first ten years of the gay mens chorus movement, back in the 80s, Over the Rainbow was done at every single concert, Riggs explains. It became very connected to gay mens chorus. But with the choruss spring concert, The Road Home, it just felt like a real genuine moment to have it, says artistic director Riggs especially because the song will follow Cyndi Laupers True Colors, which ends with the line True colors are beautiful like a rainbow. It didnt seem corny, Riggs says. It gave Rainbow a new perspective.
The first half of the program will feature such pieces of Americana as Shenandoah, jazz poems by Langston Hughes and Ragtimes Wheels of a Dream. It all speaks to the theme of looking for a place to belong, Riggs says, of living in a place where you have the freedom to be who you are. The second half is a bit lighter, with the jazz standard Come Fly With Me as well as True Colors and Over the Rainbow, among others.
The Denver Gay Mens Chorus will present The Road Home at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow at the L2 Arts & Culture Center, 1477 Columbine Street; a 2 p.m. Sunday performance takes place at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3350 East White Bay Drive in Highlands Ranch. Admission is $22, $18 for students, and free for those twelve and under; get more information at www.rmarts.org/dgmc.php or by calling 303-325-3959.
May 6-7, 7:30 p.m., 2011