The myriad life events of LGBT individuals will be traced through song this weekend as the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus continues its 30th anniversary season.
PGMC will stage “Changes: In Good Time” in three performances March 30-31 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.
The first half of the two-act show will encompass “Metamorphosis,” the final component of a trilogy of pieces on LGBT life — the first two of which the chorus performed in earlier anniversary seasons.
“Metamorphosis” pays tribute to the ups and downs LGBT people face, such as the questioning of one’s sexual identity, relationship struggles and the eventual embrace of one’s full self.
“‘Metamorphosis’ has to do with the story of growth, of birth and of acceptance, of coming out of the pain and oppression of being gay and all of the steps it takes to get there,” said PGMC artistic director Joe Buches.
Ninety singers will be accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra. “Metamorphosis” also includes a dance performance by Smoke, Lilies & Jade Arts Initiative.
“It’s been really great to collaborate with another arts organization,” Buches said. “Before now, I hadn’t had much exposure to SLJ but they are a really great dance troupe and bring so much to the performance.
The latter portion of the show features lighter, often humorous pieces that focus on everything from coming out to the gay dating scene.
“The whole concert revolves around changes and the effects they have on your life,” Buches said. “We’re telling stories, and all LGBT folks can share at least one of the emotions, if not all, in these songs. And for straight allies, this can help give them a much better understanding of what it means to be LGBT.”
With the assistance of a PNC Arts Alive grant, the chorus offered free and discounted tickets to area youth agencies and GSAs — increasing expectations that the audience will include more youth than ever.
The concert includes a tribute to the role that LGBT choruses play in giving voice to the LGBT experience, especially important for PGMC’s 30th anniversary.
As one song says, “We sing for the voices yet unheard in some far distant time. We sing for the voices echoing still of our sisters and brothers left behind.”
“I think this brings together why it is we do what we do in LGBT choruses,” Buches said. “It brings home for PGMC what we have done for the last 30 years and what we’ll continue to be doing for the next 30 years.”
Tickets range from $20-$30. For more information, visit www.pgmc.org.