News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – January 2012
THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON presents
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
with guests Candace Gingrich-Jones and Dreams of Hope LGBT youth performance troupe
in a show celebrating the uniqueness of every person
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington continues their 31st season with their second concert titled THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. Featuring the Chorus of 145 singers, the show spotlights the stories and experiences of LGBT youth and guest stars Candace Gingrich-Jones in a reading of the musical commission of the children’s book Oliver Button Is A Sissy, and Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburg-based performing arts troupe of queer and allied youth. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT will be performed on Saturday, February 18 at 8 pm at Lisner Auditorium on the campus of George Washington University, 730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC. The performance will be interpreted in ASL for the deaf and hard of hearing. Tickets are $25 – $55 and can be purchased online at www.gmcw.org, by calling (202)293-1548, or at the door. Prices are subject to change. Group Rates are available. Recommended for all ages. This production is sponsored by Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, the Washington Blade, Verizon, Corcoran Caterers and with generous support from Therese & Rick Boyd.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is a concert featuring choral music and spoken word performances that champions gay equality for youth and adults. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will spotlight the triumphs, joys and struggles of growing up gay with choral music, songs, narrations, and a staged presentation of Oliver Button Is A Sissy, narrated in a guest appearance by gay rights activist and author Candace Gingrich-Jones. Oliver Button Is A Sissy is a 25 minute commission for men’s chorus, narrator and actor. Based on the children’s book by Tomie dePaola, Oliver Button Is A Sissy is the story of a little boy who is teased by parents and teachers for his “sissy” pursuits, until he enters the school talent show. Songs performed by the Chorus in the concert presentation will include “I Love You This Big”, “Mama, a Rainbow”, Michael Jackson’s “Gone Too Soon”, “Make Me A Kite” and “As I Am (from The Big Gay Musical).
In the second act of the show, Dreams of Hope, a Pittsburgh-based performing troupe of queer and allied youth, will present their newest work “Being In, Being OUT” an original show consisting of spoken word, movement, drama, percussion, and song exploring belonging and its impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth. In “Being In, Being OUT”, Dreams of Hope youth explores the theme of “belonging”, while educating and advocating on LGBTQ issues. Trying to find one’s niche in life, the idea of “belonging” floats to the surface of many minds; one youth spells out the anguishing journey: “Family, hurt / Friends, gone / Support, fallen / Tears, stop / Spirit slowly heals / A smile calls my name.”
Through the use of multiple creative mediums, queer youth and allies come together to create a space of exploration around belonging, asking and examining poignant life questions: Where do you belong? What does it feel like? What does it mean to belong? Learn more about Dreams of Hope at www.dreamsofhope.org.
ABOUT CANDACE GINGRICH-JONES
Since 1995, Candace Gingrich-Jones has served as a key advocate for issues of importance to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Her involvement in the movement for queer equality began when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-GA., was elected House speaker.
Her 1996 autobiography, “The Accidental Activist”, was a best seller in the LGBT community. Gingrich-Jones has been profiled in national newspapers & magazines, guest-blogged at Huffington Post and appeared on Good Morning America, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and the Queen Latifah Show. She also memorably guest-starred as the minister on Friends in the groundbreaking episode “The One with the Lesbian Wedding.”
On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, Gingrich-Jones has criss-crossed the country to promote the importance of coming out, the duty to vote and the power of everyday conversations to change minds. As HRC’s Youth & Campus Outreach associate director, Gingrich-Jones works to provide tools, facilitate connections and empower Gen EQ (Generation Equality) to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond.
Candace Gingrich-Jones lives in Hyattsville, MD with her wife, Rebecca.
ABOUT DREAMS OF HOPE
Dreams of Hope is a courageous Pittsburgh-based creative and performing arts troupe featuring powerful songs and stories from LGBT youth and their allies. Creating and performing new creative works, the courageous youth perform 18-20 outreach shows at non-traditional venues such as community centers, houses of worship, universities, high schools, corporate diversity lunches, and union halls, in addition to a Season Finale in June. Celebrating who they are through the arts, the creative youth speak out about their personal experiences as LGBTQ and allied youth today.
Dreams of Hope develops lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied youth leaders who promote social change by educating audiences through the arts. Since 2003, the organization raises awareness under the precipice of recognizing the need for positive creative outlets for youth in Pittsburg, and the need for positive LGBT role models and messages in society.
FACT SHEET
Interview opportunities are available with GMCW Artistic Director, Jeff Buhrman; Candace Gingrich-Jones; Susan Haugh, founder and artistic director of Dreams of Hope; members of Dreams of Hope; and members of GMCW.
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 8 pm (ASL Interpreted)
PRESS NIGHT: Press opportunities are available at dress rehearsal on Friday, February 17, 2012.
CLOSING: One night only.
GROUP RATES: Available for groups of 15 or more
ACCESSIBILITY: Fully Accessible: Inform box office at time of ticket purchase.
ASL interpreted performance for deaf of hearing on Sunday, December 18, 2010 at 3 pm
TICKETS: Prices: $25 – $55. Ticket prices are subject to change.
Online: www.gmcw.org
By Phone: (202)293-1548
In Person: At the door on the day of the show.
Website: www.gmcw.org
E-mail: BusinessManager@gmcw.org
LOCATION: Lisner Auditorium at the George Washington University, 730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, featuring Dreams of Hope is the second production of the 31st Season of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, 2011-2012.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington delights audiences and champions gay equality with robust artistry, fun and surprise. GMCW has more than 275 singing members, nearly 100 support volunteers, more than 750 subscribers, nearly 500 donors and an annual audience of more than 10,000 people.
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