The men were gorgeous, too, in their tuxedos with a deep burgundy-colored weskit beneath. But I’m getting ahead of myself just a bit.
In this era of ubiquitous electronic noises from the audience, it has become mandatory for someone to ask the audience to please turn off such contrivances. Well. There was such an announcement this time, too, but – an angel came down from the top of one of the trees to plead the cause. She was hilarious, especially as the chainsaw used to enable her to join us didn’t complete the job very well, and she dragged part of the tree with her, tangled in the hem of her white satin gown. It was the funniest such admonition I’ve ever heard, but it worked! Not one electronic peep did I hear during the concert.
When the angel departed, the men came onstage, and the music began. The joyous Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas by John Williams set the tone and the pace for the evening. An enjoyable feature was using both chorus accompanists—Robert Day and David Detloff—at the one piano, making a very full sound. An a cappella version of O Tannenbaum followed, featuring the beautiful tenor voice of Larry Crooks as soloist. The German diction was as clear and understandable as the English words. The rich lush sound would lead you to believe there were 170 singers, rather than the 70 they really are.
Three Hanukkah Songs were given a bright, brisk reading as was Carol from an Irish Cabin. The songs were accompanied by special lighting effects, created by Michael Rich, who is also the technical director. At times, he creates lace patterns to go with the colored lights, adding greatly to the ambiance of the evening.
The Coastliners, expanded to ten singers this year, performed the famed Wexford Carol in a traditional form, before doing a fabulous doo-wop version of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
A Season for Lovers and It Must Have Been the Mistletoe led up to a jazzy ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? in which a dreamy young man was serenaded by a toy soldier, a G. I. Joe and a teddy bear!
Gospel singer Ava Withers joined the chorus for a jumping version of Children Go Where I Send Thee to end the first half. Ms. Withers is possessed of a gorgeous voice and impeccable pitch. Her enthusiasm was infectious, as she easily brought the full house to its feet, sharing her enjoyment.
To begin the second half of the program, the Coastliners came out, costumed as something not readily apparent, until they started to sing – ‘nobody likes a fruitcake!’ Oh! That’s what they were—slices of that holiday goodie as portrayed in Holiday Lament from the musical, 'That Time of the Year'. But everyone LOVED this fruitcake, believe me. And the clever costumes of Mark P. Malloy.
A medley of famous carols—a line or two of many of the more famous ones, including ‘twelve days of Christmas—was titled, appropriately, Christmas Comes Again.... In About Three Minutes.
Christmas Was Meant For Children with Dan Reynolds, soloist, featured the first of two very special ‘special effects’ of Michael Rich—photographic illustrations projected on a screen over the stage. This one featured pictures of the singers as children with Santa, or in other holiday settings. Some of them were quite recognizable, drawing chuckles or aahs from the audience. In My Mother's Eyes featured pictures of Mom. All kinds of Moms, young and older, but all loving and proud. There were more than a few tears—on stage as well as from the audience—for this loving tribute to everyone’s best girl.
Knowing that a bit of levity would be needed at this point, music director Richard Cole provided it with yet another special treat. I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas had musical accompaniment beyond the usual piano, bass and percussion. In their first appearance with the chorus, eleven members of The Cleveland Lesbian/Gay/Allies Concert/Marching Band, under the direction of Brandyn J. Metzko marched on stage and through the house, drawing cheers and applause for their efforts. Special cheers went to the uncredited drum major costumed as a baton-twirling hippopotamus! Try that sometime while wearing a hoof!
The poignant What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? provided a bit of thoughtfulness before the big production number of the evening nearly brought down the house. Ralph Diludivico is a very talented singer and dancer, and after sharing his dream with us—I Wanna Be A Rockette—it all came true. Big time! Having exchanged their tuxedo jackets for white tail coats, the eight dancers joined him in a wonderful take-off on the real Rockettes, choreographed by wonderwoman Lora Workman. They were asolutely stupendous!
Alas, sanity took over again, and the evening came to a close with another medley of traditional carols featuring R. Brooke Baker as soloist. Her clear soprano soared over the men’s voices, sometimes in unison with them, sometimes in harmony, but always beautiful in pitch and clarity.
An encore was demanded and given—Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter.
For information about the NCMC or their next concert series (April 1 & 2) visit their web-site: http://www.ncmchorus.org
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net (:divend:)