A memorable weekend that brought out the best in everyone...

The true test of any organization is how it comes together during difficult times. Yesterday was a great example of just that. The way in which our singers and support staff rallied together is a testament to the very positive spirit that exists within GMCW. Despite the huge amount of snow, metro shutdowns, icy roads, and more mounds of snow, almost all of our members were able to dig themselves out and get to the theater for both of our Sunday shows. There were many Chorus members who traveled out of their way to pick up others so they could be with us. Several members who live quite a distance from metro DC stayed with other GMCW members after our Friday night performance, even though we didn't know if we would have a second or third show. Their dedication warms my heart.

We are very grateful to our wonderfully faithful audiences who came in droves to see us on Friday night, Sunday afternoon, and Sunday evening.

The holiday spirit was truly in the air all weekend.

Wishing you a lovely, safe, holiday season and a wonderful 2010!

~ Jeff Buhrman

We're Ready for Snow

It's two weeks before our holiday extravaganza - I woke up at 5 am this morning incredibly excited about last night's Snow rehearsal. What a GREAT show - last night was our first full run-through of the show and it couldn't have gone better. There are so many beautiful and exciting musical moments in the first half and Snow White and 175 Faeries: The Musical is way over-the-top fun. Our writing team, lead by Rick East, have done an extraordinary job on the script. John Moran is weaving magic with the direction of the show.

Craig Cipollini's choreography is perfect. Our production team has been building sets. Our property master and costume designers are putting on the final touches. Our leading actors are too good to be true. And our singers have worked extremely hard on their singing and are sounding beautifully - we'll be singing with the largest number of singers in GMCW history. Ticket sales are selling at a record pace and once again, our youth outreach program, GenOUT, will provide free tickets to glbt youth and their allied peers in the DC area. Trust me - THIS IS A SHOW THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!!

- Jeff

Expect a really big Snow December 18-20!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go...let it SNOW! let it SNOW! let it SNOW!

My friend David is a meteorologist and is predicting lots of SNOW this winter. We've been experiencing our own snow since we've been singing about it since our first rehearsal in September. Frankly, I can't wait until it snows. And even better, I can't wait until we present our Snow show in December...it is beautiful, it is funny, it is a bit crazy...and it shows off the incredible talent we have in GMCW.

Our singers are singing more beautifully than ever. Their concentration and focus has been amazing. This is my 10th season as artistic director, and I've never seen so much progress in one rehearsal period. I've never heard lovelier singing than in our 1st act music from Snow.

And then we've had the Snow White and 175 Faeries rehearsals. This mini-musical is our best (and queerest). Our beautiful Snow White (a boy) and our Handsome Prince are a joy to watch. And the Dwarfs absolutely crack me up. All of the characters are just plain FUN.

I'll share some more about the show next week...and I'll give some info about how our Grease auditions are going.

- Jeff

Singing Out: National Equality March Weekend

GMCW continues to show itself as a central act on the political stage of the capital of the free world. Last January we sang for the inauguration concert for President Obama at the Lincoln Memorial. On Sunday, October 11 we were proud to represent gay and lesbian choruses from around the country as we sang for over 100,000 people at the Equality Rally on the west lawn of the United States Capitol. It was thrilling to sing Marry Us, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and several other songs to a cheering crowd who were there to march and rally for equal rights for all Americans.

GMCW's small ensemble Potomac Fever participated in a very touching and historic event the day before the march and rally. A memorial service for Leonard Matlovich, the first openly gay person in the military, was held at the Congressional Cemetary. A parade of speakers included several gay heroes who were forced out of the military because of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy. Tracy Thorne, Alex Nicholson and Lt. Dan Choi spoke with great passion ... it was an afternoon filled with great emotion. Potomac Fever opened the service with a stirring National Anthem, and also performed the lullaby, Everything Possible, especially fitting as Tracy Thorne's two young children were there to listen.

It was a proud weekend for GMCW

GMCW's 2009-2010 Season

Considering the difficult economic times we are all living through, we decided that our new season should be an entertainment-filled, bundle of fun. You could say it is GMCW's own "stimulus package," put together for your enjoyment. From our fractured version of SNOW WHITE in December; to a concert of LOVE in February; to a fully-staged production of the Broadway musical GREASE in March; to our small ensemble show, FEVER in May; to a celebration of DIVAS in June (featuring the foremost female impersonator, Christopher Peterson), I think we have our most exciting season ever.