I guess the old adage “time flies when you’re having fun” can certainly describe this year. It seems like I was just composing my letter for December’s holiday concert program and here we are in June. As Executive Director of the Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus, I am blessed to work with a fantastic group of people who continually give their best, in all things. They bring joy to my life; they all shine in their own right. They have my heart and my never-ending gratitude. To fulfill our mission, it is essential that we connect with the community at large but, in particular, the LBGTQ+ community. That goal is more vital than ever as we look around a world that continues to reinvent itself post-pandemic. We need the Arts to bring people together and, in its creative way, foster peace through the universal messages of love, hope, and understanding. Once again, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a “dream team” on this production. Our Guest Music Director, Dominique Christian Dale Gonzales, brought his enthusiasm and talents in helping me bring this concert concept to life. The exceptional skill of our Assistant Music Director and accompanist Aren Long cannot be expressed enough: he is truly a gift and has more talents than anyone could ever fully list. I could not be more pleased with what we have accomplished together. Once again, we held formal auditions giving everyone who had an interest in stepping into the spotlight the chance to shine. And shine this production does, glowingly — a production only made possible through generous funding from The City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission, The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, Renown Health, and donations from our fans. We could not do this without you. Our special guest choreographer is a legend in his own right and was kind enough to honor NGMC by choreographing “The Circle of Life” which you will experience tonight. Mr. Marty Lewis and I have been friends since the days of Hello Hollywood Hello, and his contributions to the world of dance and entertainment cannot be overstated. We couldn’t be more pleased than to dedicate this concert to Marty and celebrate his outstanding life’s work with our concert tonight.
A special thank you to Proctor R. Hug High School and their theatre and music departments for making this show possible. A huge round of applause, please, for our guest emcee Mr. Shea King from the theatre staff at TMCC, and to our fantastic friend and chorusographer Mig O’Hara. My heartfelt thanks to my dear friend Barbara Land for bringing the lovely dancers from the Conservatory Ballet Theatre and gracing our stage with their talent and beauty. A special thank you to my dear friends Joseph and Brandy Fotinos for making the trip from Austin, Texas, to assist me with this production (there is a special surprise in Act 2!) Thank you to our friend, web designer, and live stream operator Mike Stombaugh and our amazing friend Tim III for his expert videography and editing skills. We couldn’t do this without our technical director Ty Hagar, who makes our sound come to life and works magic with lights, projections and his amazing crew. Thank you to Gary Albright of Albright Graphic Productions for creating our gorgeous graphics and engineering our virtual productions’ fabulous opening and closing segments: he is a great source of knowledge and inspiration for me! We are honored to share the stage tonight with some of the area’s finest musicians who bring professionalism, creativity and infectious energy to our stage. Finally, my heartfelt gratitude to you, our audience…you are the reason we are here.
Warmly,
Steven Meyer, Executive Director, NGMC execdir@nevadagmc.org
On behalf of the Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus, it is my utmost pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you. I am filled with excitement and gratitude as we gather to celebrate the power of music and the magic of two extraordinary worlds: Disney and Broadway!
In this beautifully diverse and inclusive space, we come together not only as admirers of fine melodies and harmonies, but also as advocates of equality, love, and acceptance. The Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus is a vibrant community of individuals who believe in the transformative power of music, with our aim to create an environment where voices can unite, hearts can soar, and spirits can be uplifted.
Our program this evening promises an enchanting journey through the timeless classics that have captured our imaginations and touched our souls. The combined allure of Disney and Broadway remind us of the joy and inspiration that can be found within the stories we hold dear. From the unforgettable melodies of “Beauty and the Beast” to the show-stopping numbers of “The Greatest Showman,” our program is an ode to the extraordinary talent and passion that defines these two extraordinary realms.
Through our performances, we aim to transport you to a place where dreams come true and where music has the power to heal, empower, and create change. Our voices, united in harmony, is a testament to the strength of unity and the resilience of the human spirit. We invite you to immerse yourself in the magic of the music, to let it touch your heart, and to join us on this journey of love, acceptance, and celebration.
Your presence here tonight is a testament to your unwavering support of NGMC: your energy, applause, and smiles ignite a fire within us; you remind us of the impact our collective voices can have on the world. We are grateful for your continued support and honored to have you as part of our extended family.
So, let us embark on this musical adventure together. May the songs of Disney and Broadway serve as a reminder of the dreams we hold dear and of the enduring power of love. Thank you for being here with us tonight. With love and gratitude,
Dominique Gonzales Guest Music Director
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEVADA GAY MEN’S CHORUS
Whether you love to sing or work behind the scenes, there is always a place for you in the Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus! There are three ways to join NGMC:
Become a singing member of the chorus. If you love to sing and can carry a tune as either a tenor, baritone or bass, then this is for you. Membership in the chorus is open to all individuals of any sexual orientation. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings from 7:00-9:00 in Reno. Check our website or FB page for location.
Become a member of our Board of Directors. NGMC is seeking qualified individuals who believe in our mission and are willing to actively serve on our Board of Directors. Interested individuals should submit their request and resume by email to: president@nevadagmc.org.
Become a member of the Fifth Section. Are you gifted at organizing, fundraising, event planning, ticket taking, setting or cleaning up? If so, this is the group for you.
Membership in the Fifth Section is open to any man, woman, or child who would like to be a part of the chorus’s mission without singing.
If you are interested in becoming one of us, please speak to one of our chorus members for more information.
Stay Tuned! Upcoming Performances
Special Appearance: Northern Nevada Pride
— July 22, 2023 • Wingfield Park
Annual Holiday Show
— December 15, 2023 • venue TBD
Annual spring Show
— June 7, 2024 • venue TBD For
Let them dance to their own tune with our classes for age 3 and upwards.
R.A.D. Syllabus Examinations and Class Awards offered annually.
Classes in Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary for all ages and levels.
Barbara Land & Miriam Allen R.A.D. Registered Teachers
Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus P.O. Box 2752, Reno, Nevada 89505 (775) 525-1231
nevadagmc.org
Executive Director Steven Meyer
Guest Artistic Director Dominique Christian Dale Gonzales
Assistant Music Director Aren Long
Company Choreographer Mig O’Hara
Guest Choreographer Barbara Land
Special Guest Choreographer Mar ty Lewis
Assistant Choreographer Deena Schmidt
to Mr. Lewis
Dance Rehearsal Assistant Missy Hill
Graphic Design Albright Graphic Productions
Technical Director Ty Hagar
Prop Design/Construction Gregory Hillman
Costume Design/Construction Eric Heiselt
Videographers Tim Ill & Ty Hagar
Video Editor Tim Ill
Live Stream Operator Mike Stombaugh
Lead Technical Assistant Jacob Spaulding
Technical Assistants Leyla Perales & Jordan Pettipiece
Hug HS students: Amir Mata Espinosa, Andrew Troescher
Box Office Manager Janette O’Hair
Rehearsal Tracks Aren Long & Heinz Denoyo
Webmaster Mike Stombaugh
Chorus Ambassador Howard Craig-Aakervik
GUEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Dominique Christian Dale Gonzales is presently the assistant director for the Nevada Chamber Singers, incoming director for UNR Concert Choir, as well as a UNR Performing Arts committee member. After finishing his masters in piano performance, he spent his time accompanying choirs across the west coast, including those at Fresno State, CalPoly, and University of Portland. Currently, Dominique is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Nevada, Reno, under the tutelage of Drs. Paul Torkelson and James Winn.
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR & ACCOMPANIST Aren Long
SPECIAL GUEST EMCEE Shea King
GUEST CHOREOGRPAHER Barbara Land
SPECIAL GUEST CHOREOGRPAHER Marty Lewis
CHORUS
Tenor 1
Joanna Dunlap*
John Hancock*
Paul Urban
Evan Vo
Tenor 2
Riley Cloyd
Jon Marshall*
Mike Meinert*
Kevin Shoemaker*
Aiden Sosa
Mark Taxer*
Guest Dancers
courtesy of Conservatory
Ballet Theatre
Kate Bland
Fayth Burnett
Ellie Ewing
Gabi Giraudo
Sophia Jacobs
Morgan Kelley
Sigourney Kendall-Golder
Luca Light
Abigail Mehlhaff
Ana Miller
Madison Perez
Siena Schopper
Alle Sorensen
Ana Tiller
Julia Zorio
Baritone
Michael Berry
Conner Colbert*
Phil Harriman*
Eric Heiselt*
Jimmie Manning
Steven Meyer*
Adam Safdi*
Bass
Brandon Bishop
Justice Colby*
David Deeter*
Michael Docao
Xander Holcomb
Tim Rhodes
Act One
Hello! from the Book of Mormon
Music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, arr. Stephen Oremus
Disney Dazzle!
The songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, arr. Mac Huff
Colors of the Wind from Disney’s Pocahontas
Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, arr. Mac Huff
I’ll Make a Man Out of You from Disney’s Mullan
Music by Matthew Wilder, lyrics by David Zippel, arr. Roger Emerson
You’ll Be Back from Hamilton
Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Alex Lacamoire & Lin-Manuel Miranda
Hamilton Men medley from Hamilton
Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Lisa DeSpain
My Shot from Hamilton
Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with Albert Johnson, Kejuan Waliek, Muchita, Osten Harvey, Jr, Roger Troutman, Christopher Wallace, arr. Roger Emerson
Guest Musicians
Sierra Appleby
Jesus Munoz
Colton Weaver
Special Guest Appearance
Joseph Fotinos
We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto
Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Mark Brymer
Surface Pressure from Encanto
Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Jack Zaino
Lion King Medley
Can You Feel the Love Tonight Music and lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice
Be Prepared Music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice
The Circle of LIfe Music and lyrics by Lebohang Morake, arr. Roger Emerson
Act TWO
There’s No Tune Like a Show Tune
Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, arr. Mark Hayes
Cell Block Tango from Chicago
Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb
Puttin’ On the Ritz
Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, arr. J. Mann
Special guest appearance by Joseph Fotinos
Evermore from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice, arr. Ed Lojeski
Dedicated to Marty Lewis by the Conservatory Ballet Theatre
Disney Villains Medley
Cruella De Vil from The One Hundred and One Dalmatians: Words and music by Mel Leven
Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid: Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman
Gaston from Beauty and the Beast: Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman
A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman
Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. arr. Dorian Kelly
From Now On from The Greatest Showman
Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. arr. Charles Beale
This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. arr. Mac Huff
Marty Lewis has changed the history of jazz dance in Northern Nevada since he moved here to work on Hello, Hollywood, Hello in the 80s. We’re thrilled to dedicate this concert to him to honor his outstanding life’s work.
MARTY LEWIS is one of the most sought-after dance choreographers in the country. He was a featured dancer in Don Arden’s Hello Hollywood Hello at the M.G.M. Grand Hotel in Reno, Nevada, for many years, as well as in Guys and Dolls, the Broadway hit in Las Vegas choreographed by New York’s Billy Wilson. He has performed in Don Arden’s spectacular Las Vegas Jubilee and appeared at the Lido de Paris in Paris, France. Marty has choreographed for La Toya Jackson, and is known for his work in television and movies in Seoul and Tokyo. He was also a featured entertainer in the Suzanne Sommers television special. Over the past 25 years, he has taught and choreographed at “I Can Do Anything” Performing Arts Charter High School, Fascinating Rhythm Dance School, Dance Unlimited, for The University of Nevada, Reno dance program, at The Conservatory of Movement and worked extensively with Karen Burns Productions. Born in Rock, Illinois, he studied dance and performance at the University of Chicago, in Las Vegas, as well as in New York City.
Adam Cates
Albright Graphic Productions, Inc.
Anne & Drake Ferrari
Aren Long
Barbara Land
Barker Business Systems
Brandy Fotinos
Carrie Cameron
Carson Valley Men’s Club
City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission
Conservatory of Movement
Cupit, Milligan, Ogden & Williams
Dennis R. Little Trust
Dennyse Sewell
Diane St. Jacques
Downtown Vision
Dr. Paul Torkelson
Eric Boudreau
Eric Heiselt
Gerber Medical Clinic
Great Basin Federal Credit Union
Gregory Hillman
Keith Roberts
James Meservy
Jane Brown and the Reno Pops Orchestra
Janette O’Hair, 5th Section Leader
Jared Sorenson
Jeromy Manke
Jillian Helget
John Drakulich-Farmers Insurance
Joseph Fotinos
Linda Tilmont Green, CPA
Marchele’s Bridal
Maribeth Torkelson
Marie Zinzer
THANKS Contributors*
Mayor Hillary Schieve and Staff
Melissa Taylor
Mig O’Hara
Mike Stombaugh
Missy Hill
Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts
Northern Nevada Corn Hole
Northern Nevada Hopes
Northern Nevada Pride
Our Center
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Proctor R. Hug High School
Radiance Ketamine Clinic
Reno Little Theatre
Robert Callaghan
Ron Marston
Sean Cary
Sean Savoy
Shea King Spectrum of Nevada
Sports and Performance Physical Therapy
Stacey Spain
Starsound Audio
Stuart Murtland Photography
Surratt Law
The 5th Section’s amazing volunteers
Tim Ill
Truckee Meadows Community College
Ty Hagar
University of Nevada, Reno
Yevonne Allen
Zephyr Wellness
Sostenuto (Sustaining Donor) $10,000 +
The Norris-Rocaberte Family Foundation
Sforzando Season Underwriter $2,500 +
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Dennis R Little Trust
Steven Meyer
Fortissimo $1,001 to $2,499
Joseph Anthony & Brandy Fotinos
Linda Tilmont Green
Paul Urban
Anne Marie Zinzer
Forte $501 to $1,000
Howard Craig-Aakervik
James Bernardi & Duane Dooley
Anne & Drake Ferrari
Michael & Inge Gerber
Benjamin Guberman
Katherine Jefferts Schori
Eric Johnson
Jodi and Cary Keilhofer
Roberta Kipper
James Nachiodo & William Hill
Heidi Marie Rochlin
Kimberly Surratt
Heather Tyreman
Marc & Judith Ullom
Rick Wood
Mezzo Forte $251 to $500
Steve Andrus / Lynn McGalliard Arnone /
Lynn Carasali / Rick Cornell / Robert Broili, Esq.
/ Judith Cole / Lisa DeRoche / Becky Earl /
Nancy Fennell / Kirk Gardner / Dorothy
Lienau / David & Laura Neidert / Reno’s
Biggest Little Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence / Lloyd Rogers & Gaia Brown
(since Day 1 until 5/30/23)
Mezzo Piano $101 to $250
Stephanie Arrigotti / Drew Bierlein / Dawn Bisbane / Tina Canady / Leslie Brenneke /
Gerard Greiner / Dana Harding / Gerald Heston /
Charlie Holland / Harold & Kate Lambertson / Jeff Lopchuk / Emily Montan / Mig O’Hara /
Charles & Barbara Price / Deidre Robbers /
Kristen Rusinyak / Steve Saari / Mike Tentis /
Mary & Larry Thomas / Randi Thompson /
Richard H. Wood / Doug Vacek / Dorothy Lienau
/ Mary & Larry Thomas / Richard H. Wood /
Doug Vacek
Piano $51 to $100
Gary Albright / Gary Aldrich / Deborah Bailey /
Cindy & Peter Bansen / Susan Benefield / Rene
Biondo / Kathleen Bishop /Michael Borowitz /
Cheryl Cardoza / Madeline Carpenter /Dick &
Jane Cates / Jane Chapman / Keith Coombs /
Julie Wright Costa / John Cregg / John Cron /
Elizabeth Dear / Alex Espiritu & Pampered
Chef / Barbara Fleming / Tracey Giambrone /
Daela Gibson / Bambi Gillette / Ty Hagar /
Linda Hansen / Val Harriman / Tony Heng /
Lisa Huffman / Art Johnson / Greg Jones /
Albert Judd / Shea King / Bobbi Lazzarone /
Katherine LaPierre / M.B. Marlow / Marjorie
Matocq / Christine McFarlane / Michael
Meinert / Robert McGinty / Mig O’Hara / Ted Owens / Beverly Phillips & Tracy Dean / Robin
Rakusin / Cindy Sabatini / Jackie Shelton / Spectrum Northern Nevada / Paul Stufkosky / Eric Taxer / Mark Taxer / Gabrielle Totton / Mark Walters / Maureen Warden / Gay Warner
(the listing continues next page)
*Steven would personally like to thank those who contributed to his FaceBook birthday campaign for NGMC back in February. Unfortunately, FaceBook has erased that listing from his account. Apologies to anyone whose name should appear in the program but is absent.
Contributors continued
Pianissimo up to $50
Lakshmi Albright
B. Aimone-Whiteside
Art Anderson
Vicki Anderson
Robert Andrade
Laureen Andrews
Jeanne Ann
Beverly Bailey
Kathleen Baldock
Elizabeth Barnes
Nancy Barnhart
Christy Barry
Linda S. Bartosik
Margaret Beal
Sue Bell
Howard Bennett
Anne Benoit
Helen Blanke
Kristie Boatner
Karl Brown
Linda Brown
Karen Burnet
Emzy Burroughs
D.M. & M.A. Busick
Donna Campbell
Wayne Campbell
Elizabeth Cannon-Lynch
Ellen Carmack
Jennifer Carr
Adam Cates
Ann Cates
Lori Chellakumar
Carole Chouinard
Paula Chung
Sandra Cloninger
Ellen Coats
Judith Corday
Denise Cordova
Marti Marangelli Creveling
Deborah Crist
Phillip Dalto
Phil Decarlo
Mary Deibel
Beverly Demanovich
Cheryl Dobson
Kristi Dorf
Connie Douglas
Drakulich Insurance
Mary Dugan
Julie Dunlap
Marc Embree
Russell Esmenda-Deeter
Alex Espiritu
Dawn Etcheverry
Lloyd Francis
Bernadette Francke
Troy Frasier
Michael Freeman
Cathy Gabrielli
Evan Gadda
Danielle Gann-Lind
Maura Grady
Grasshoppa’s Garden of Art
Steven Green
Katie Gregory
Sarah Grether
Robin Griffin
Maureen Groach
Laura Grotz
Lorene Guffey
Linda Hansen
Jonna Cobbs Hansmeier
Constance Hanson
Elizabeth Harding
Carole Harriman
Natalie Hart
Donna Harvey
Rod Hearn
Audrey Heck
Dawson Heck
Margaret Hellwarth
Patricia Helm
William Helm
Sonya Hem
James Hengels
Carolyn Hennings
Bonnie & Keith Hill
Samantha Hoeper
Charles Holland
Cheryl Holley
Doris Horvath
Elizabeth Hunter
Jessica Irwin-McGinnis
Karen Jackson
Jazmin Jimenez-Mata
Darley Jeppson
Karen Johnston
Elizabeth Tiffany Jones
Barbara Joyce
Eugene Kaeck
Holly Kelley
Diana Kelly
Kathleen Kimmel
Kathy King
Amanda Kingston-Beetle
Erica Kryztof
Kent Kubista
Kay Kurvers
Vallery LaBarre
Barbara Land
Kelly Larson
Matthew Lauc
Steven Leman
Kathy Light
Melissa Macillus
Barbara Malinas
Jacqueline Manley
Rosa Margarita
Margaret Mariner
Arnold Maurins
Brittney May
Rhonda McCalla
Paula McDonough
Matt McFee
Celia McGinty
Darla and Joseph McKenna
Charity Meadows
David Meeker
Donica Mensing
Sue Klena Merriwether
Mary Jo Meyer
Gary Miller
Robert Miller
Brian Moore
Dennis Moore
Sue Moore
Virginia Moore
Amy Nielson
Larry Nussbaum
Richard Odynski
Nettie Oliverio
Nancy Evelyn Olson
Eileen Peikarz
Michael Pennington
Daniel Perez
Abe Perea
Janis Peters
Matthew Pichon
Jenny Pickerell
James Pickett
Martha Pruter
PteroWorks
Rickee Raney
Tim Rhodes
Cynthia Richardson
Monica Riefer
Lisa Riley
William Roche
Melanie Rudnick
Patrick Bernard Russell
William F. Russell
Barbara Sanders
Sean Savidge
CJ Schumacher
Roger Scime
Dennyse Sewell
Jackie Shelton
John Simonds
Jim Smith
Tonya Stefun
Clare Steppat
Judith Stewart
Thomas Stewart
Mike Stombaugh
William Stomski
Charles Stuart
Rodney Sumpter
Meredith Tanzer
Shreesh Taskar
Jill Teachout
Lora Tedesco
Gina Temple
Rhiana Templin
Harry Thomas Photography
George Thoresen
Jacque Tibaduiza
Jennifer Tibben
Tim Tormey
Brad Traux
Cheyenne Underwood
Susan Valencia
Eric Vincent
P.A. Walsh
Kirsten Walter
CJ Walters
Kay Waz
Kathryn Welch
Judith Whitenack
Lynda Wiest
Nancy Witstine
Kate Whittley
Ruth Whittley
Bonnie Wolf
Mark Worsnbop
Carolyn Wray
Debbie Cusick Yturbide
