Regional Reviews: Seattle

Seattle Men's Chorus offers Frothy but Disjointed
...Our Gay Apparel
Benaroya Hall

Also see David's reviews of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mary Poppins and All the Way

There is no lack of humor, musicality or holiday spirits in the mix at this year's Seattle Men's Chorus concert ...Our Gay Apparel at Benaroya Hall, but somehow it feels a bit like the holiday pudding is missing a cherry on top, at least at the opening performance this past weekend. Headlined for the first two shows only by recording and concert vocalist Linda Eder, there was still plenty to cheer about, even if the SMC formula is by now pretty predictable. Still, there is something a bit undercooked this time.

The performance kicks off with a nice contemporary holiday tune by Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor, "This Christmas," with solid featured vocals by Paul Peterson and Paul Gillespie, and continues in an upbeat vein with "Funky That Hall" by local writer David Maddux. As usual, classic and contemporary tunes are alternated, but there is a welcome Santa's gift bag of new special material in this year's show by Associate Artistic Director Eric Lane Barnes, including "Marvelous Holiday Sweater" and an inventive "Holiday Concert in the Sky" salute to recently passed celebs. From the latter number, Gerard Gravallese deserves special praise for a spot-on Joan Rivers and, without faulting the performance of Joseph L. Lytle, most of the audience wasn't Broadway savvy enough to realize he was doing Elaine Stritch, despite nailing her shirt with no-skirt look. There is also a kicky "Late Bloomer" number and "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" in a fast paced act one.

Guest star Linda Eder is a fine vocalist with a wide range, but a scintillating performer, not so much. Her choice of material ran to Broadway (though Jekyll and Hyde is admittedly her only actual Broadway credit) and her technique trumped her acting on both "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" and "I Am I, Don Quixote", with her "Climb Every Mountain" (she told of playing the Mother Abbess in high school) her best effort, as well as a few Christmas tunes with the chorus. Eder was personable but not in a league with the likes of Betty Buckley or Megan Hilty who have shared the holiday concerts with SMC in the past.

A moving setting of "Over There"/"Silent Night" set up as the tale of the famous World War I Christmas Eve ceasefire is the emotional highpoint of the concert, and there is a truly beautiful brand new piece by Scandinavian born composer Ola Gjeilo and lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri entitled "New Year's Carol" which deserves to be a holiday season perennial.

SMC musical director Dennis Coleman seemed a bit lost at times in the opening show, at one point nearly forgetting to intro Ms. Eder's second set. One Barnes penned number about grown men still attached to their teddy bears is more cloying than cute. The closing number seemingly intended to celebrate Marriage Equality as well as the season feels like it hasn't been thought out properly, either in terms of content or placement. And, finally, for a show called ...Our Gay Apparel, couldn't there have been some more glittery costumes and campy choreography onstage?

For all the humbug in the previous paragraph, I just want a bit more from the SMC's big annual event. What can I say guys, you've spoiled me.

...Our Gay Apparel runs through December 22, 2014, Benaroya Hall, downtown Seattle at 3rd and Union, with select dates in Tacoma and Everett as well. For show times, tickets and other information go to www.flyinghouse.org.