The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) is back and ready to perform for its spectacular holiday show “Sparkle, Twinkle, Jingle!” at the Palm Springs Museum Annenberg Theater Friday, December 10, Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12. The Chorus is proud to welcome its new artistic director Jerry R. Soria-Foust, who will premiere his talents in their annual fun-filled holiday show.
This year’s auditions brought in 27 new singers in one of the most diverse and talented freshman classes in the Chorus’ 23-year history. Along with many seasoned members, the 80+ singers will sparkle, put a smile on your face, illuminate the season and leave you wanting more while singing the shows iconic songs.
Soria-Foust has assembled a program filled with traditional selections like “Oh, Holy Night” and non-traditional “We Are Lights” (The Chanukah Song) by Stephen Schwartz and “Christmas in Palm Springs.” As audiences have come to expect, there will be a few surprises, songs in four languages and heartfelt musical moments that only Palm Springs’ official gay men’s chorus can provide. The program also includes “Glow,” by Eric Whitacre, “Pure Imagination,” from Willy Wonka and “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” from Elf the Musical. Two of PSGMC’s most valuable talents are Joel Baker as Principal Accompanist and Martin Coogan, who provides ASL.
This year, the Chorus welcomes Broadway star Michele McConnell from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Michele proudly made her Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera. During her 7-1/2 years in Phantom, Michele had the privileged distinction to be the longest-running Carlotta in Broadway history, with over 2200 performances in the role to her credit and to perform as Carlotta for the 10,000th Broadway show as well as the 25th Anniversary performance.