Welcome to Spirits Bright and the beginning of our sapphire 45th season! We are so excited to have sold out our winter concert for the 2nd year in a row. We could not do it without you so on behalf of everyone here at Big Apple Performing Arts, thank you for your support in making this weekend one of the most special in our annual calendar.
Since September, we have been busy preparing for this weekend alongside performances for UN Women, our fourth performance for the New York Stock Exchange, and the winter concert of our Youth Pride Chorus. In 2025, we have loads in store. We begin with a concert at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine called Hear My Song. Later that month we will also have our third annual Trans Day of Visibility Concert and we end the month with our fundraiser Harmony, where we will honor George Takei, Kelsey Louie, Seth Rudetsky, and James Wesley Jackson. In May, our Youth Pride Chorus will have their spring concert. In June, we will have our summer concert - Heal Me at the Disco - right here at NYU Skirball right before our third annual Juneteenth concert.
This year has certainly been one to remember. With the election only weeks ago and with a new presidential administration to come in just over a month, it is our collective responsibility to take stock of where we are as a community, of the freedoms that we must relentlessly protect, and of the endless barrage of anti-LGBQTIA+ legislation and sentiment that surround us. We must also take the time to celebrate our friends, our families, our chosen families, and, yes, even and especially ourselves. The joy that we must always work to create, cultivate, and share is fundamental to all end-of-year celebrations; Spirits Bright is our contribution to this mission via our special brand of choral musical excellence.
The holiday season can be a tough period for many people but, unquestionably, exacerbated for queer people. Many of us have a complicated and traumatic relationship with this period for a myriad of reasons and yet, I can unequivocally say that this community seeks to ensure that everyone - member, audience, friend, allyalways feels at home and able to be their true selves. We want you to always feel a part of this journey as, at our core, we exist to be a visible and audible presence for the LGBTQIA+ community around the world. In so doing, we have helped members recover from personal tragedies, have helped our audience become their authentic selves, and have advocated for the rights and freedoms to which queer people and allies are all firmly entitled. I am so thoroughly proud of everything we have accomplished but there is more to do and, to do it, we need your financial support. I am humbly asking for your generosity during these di!cult times? Could you please donate $5 to the QR code in this program to support the life-saving work of this incredible organization?
On a personal note, this is my final concert with the NYCGMC as I have been appointed the Executive Director of GALA Choruses, the membership association of queer choirs in North America. I o er my sincerest thanks for your support of the NYCGMC. My time here will always be a place of deep fondness and inspirational memories.
With eternal gratitude and endless respect,
John D Carrion Executive Director
NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to NYCGMC’s first concert of our 45th season, “Learn to Fly” where we will explore themes of healing, self-empowerment, and perseverance. Our winter concert this season is all about hope. The first step in learning to fly is believing that it can actually happen which starts with positivity and creating light out of the darkness weighing us down. ‘Spirits Bright’ is a concert meant to raise your spirits, o er hope, and illuminate a path through the winter.
The winter season brings so much frivolity and camp embedded in the holidays because the season also brings a sense of nostalgia and longing for brighter days. This concert is programmed to speak to all of those aspects. Amidst what is proving to be a very tumultuous election season, our chorus meets weekly to create hope and a bright future together. We aren’t just singing songs of escape or activism, but songs that insist that there will be a brighter tomorrow.
I believe sharing the air in our rehearsals and singing music with words that raise us up is the perfect way, however brief, to keep love and joy alive. We bring you that spirit at this concert, humbly, in the hopes that you will join us in insisting on a brighter tomorrow by creating the light and joy ourselves. It is up to us to create the joy or as I often say in rehearsal, to chase joy in order to shine bright. We can create the joy in our lives– we decide! And we need you to shine. If you can’t shine right now, you’ve come to the correct concert: we’ll shine for you in an e ort to make your spirits bright.
Thank you for all of your love and support for these fabulous singers. There are decades of perseverance, love, community, and triumph represented on those risers and it should all be applauded.
Cheers,
John J. Atorino
Artistic Director
Big
Apple Performing Arts:
NYCGMC, Youth Pride Chorus, Tonewall
presents DECEMBER 13-14, 2024
Big Apple Performing Arts, Inc.
John D. Carrion, Executive Director
John J. Atorino, Artistic Director
Aaron Dai, Accompanist
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural A airs in partnership with the City Council.
The taking of photographs or the making of any recording, audio or video, of any part of the performance is strictly prohibited.
Light
Andrew Bezek, Austin Gutierrez, Jake Oswell, Samuel Ruiz | Soloists
Brian Yorkey, Tom Kitt
arr. Charles Beale
Star
Maurice White, Eddie del Barrio and Allee Willis
arr. Steve Milloy
DJ
Play a Christmas Song
Silver Bears
Burn
Sarah Hudson, Jesse St. John Geller, Steven Mark Schick, Brett McLaughlin, James John Abrahart Jr.
arr. Eric Knechtges
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Johnny Marks
Silver Bells by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Parody lyrics by Robert Groves
arr. Pax Ressler
Ryan Tedder, Ellie Goudling, Greg Kurstin, Noel Zancanella, Brent Kutzle
arr. Charles Beale
Adam’s Hanukkah Song Part II
Lee Rayment, Kit James | Soloists
Adam Sandler
Parody lyrics by Alex Weissman and Matt Koplik
arr. John J. Atorino
arr. Steve Milloy What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Frank Loesser
Morning Glow
From “Pippin”
Stephen Schwartz
arr. Ash
There’s a Light (Over at the Frankenstein Place)
From “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Jon Gallagher, Marc Wakim | Soloists
Ven A Mi Casa Esta Navidad
Argenis Mendoza | Soloist
Parum Parum
The House of Donyale Luna | Special Guest
Richard O’Brien
arr. Steve Milloy
Luis María Aguilera Picca
arr. John J. Atorino
Padam Padam by Peter Rycroft and Ina Wroldsen
Little Drummer Boy by Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis, Harry Simeone
arr. Ash
Wait ‘Til You See What’s Next
Sure On This Shining Night
Jason Robert Brown
arr. Ash
Music by Morten Lauridsen
Lyrics by James Agee
Some Days
Noland King | Soloist
From “A Goofy Movie”
Music by Steve Marzullo
Lyrics by James Baldwin
Roy Freeland and Patrick Deremer
arr. Charles Beale
TRANSLA ONS & XT
VEN A MI CASA ESTA NAVIDAD |
English Translation by William Berrios
(Soloist)
Tú que estás lejos de tus amigos
De tu tierra y de tu hogar y tienes pena, pena en el alma Porque no dejas de pensar
Tú que esta noche (chorus: Dm doo doo, etc) no puedes, dejar de recordar
Quiero que sepas que aquí en mi mesa para ti tengo un lugar
(With Chorus)
Por eso y muchas cosas más Ven a mi casa esta Navidad Por eso y muchas cosas más Ven a mi casa esta Navidad
Tú que recuerdas (w/ tenor 1) quizá a tu madre (w/ tenor 2)
O a un hijo que no está (w/ bari & bass)
Quiero que sepas (w/ tenor 1) que en esta noche (w/ tenor 2) él te acompañará (w/ full chorus) No vayas solo (Dm doo doo, etc.) por esas calles queriéndote aturdir
Ven con nosotros y a nuestro lado, intenta sonreír
Por eso y muchas cosas más
Ven a mi casa esta Navidad Por eso y muchas cosas más
Ven a mi casa esta Navidad
(Spoken)
Tú que has vivido siempre de espaldas sin perdonar ningún error ahora es momento de reencontrarnos, ven a mi casa por favor Ahora ya es tiempo de que charlemos pues nada se perdió en estos días todo se olvida y nada sucedió
Por eso y muchas cosas más Ven a mi casa esta Navidad Por eso y muchas cosas más Ven a mi casa esta Navidad Por eso y muchas cosas más Ven a mi casa esta Navidad
Ven a mi casa esta Navidad
SOME DAYS | Text by James Baldwin
Some days worry some days glad some days more than make you mad. Some days, some days, more than shine: when you see what’s coming on down the line!
Some days you say, oh, not me never - ! Some days you say bless God forever. Some days, you say, curse God, and die and the day comes when you wrestle with that lie.
(Soloist)
You who are far from your friends From your land and your home and you have sorrow, sorrow in your soul Because you don’t stop thinking
You who tonight cannot stop remembering I want you to know that here, at my table, I have a place for you
(With Chorus)
For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas
For this and many more reasons
Come to my home this Christmas
You who perhaps remember your mother Or a son who is not there I want you to know that tonight he will be with you Don’t go alone through the streets trying to lose yourself Come with us and by our side, try to smile
For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas
(Spoken)
You who have always lived with your back turned unforgiving of any mistake Now it’s time to reunite, come to my home please Now it’s time for us to talk because nothing was lost During these days everything is forgotten and nothing happened
For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas
For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas For this and many more reasons Come to my home this Christmas
Come to my home this Christmas
Some days tussle then some days groan and some days don’t even leave a bone. Some days you hassle all alone.
I don’t know, sister, what I’m saying, nor do no man, if he don’t be praying. I know that love is the only answer and the tight-rope lover the only dancer.
When the lover come o! the rope today, the net which holds him is how we pray, and not to God’s unknown, but to each other - : the falling mortal is our brother!
Some days leave some days grieve some days you almost don’t believe. Some days believe you, some days don’t, some days believe you and you won’t. Some days worry some days mad some days more than make you glad. Some days, some days, more than shine, witnesses,
coming on down the line!
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Aaron Dai, Piano/Chorus Accompanist
Dan Gross*, Drums
Raul Agraz, Trumpet
Marc Phaneuf, Saxophone
*Music Coordinator
Sara Jacovino, Trombone
Jason DiMatteo, Bass
The musicians are proud members of Local 802, American Federation of Musicians.
THE HOUSE OF DONYALE LUNA
Muma Danyale Luna Dream Danyale Luna
TAG & FOLLOW @the_house_of_donyale_luna_
PLAYERS
Joshua Allman
Stephan Amenta
Brandon Arnold
Adam Barrett
Monte Brown
Michael Coleman
Rob Cordell
Tim Valentine, Staging Director
Andy Ho
Kit James
Nick Jones
Nathan Kendrick
Jack Lada
Viktor Leshchenko
Je Lettiere
Austin Marolla
Paul Maulucci
Kory Merten
Michael Perotto
Nick Prior
Lee Rayment
Diego Santiago
Sven Schuchert David Sheehan
Alex Sisk
Charley Sullivan
Ralphie Torrusso
Christopher Tucker
Jeremy Vandenhout
NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN’S CHORUS is a world-class, world-renowned New York institution and a pioneering voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. NYCGMC is comprised of more than 275 talented singers of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Together, we produce a vibrant sound and energy with which audiences can connect. Through the power of this sound, and our spectacular performances, we are fearless champions for love, equality and acceptance.
Founded in 1980, NYCGMC has formed a strong bond with devoted followers and continues to make lasting connections with new and diverse audiences. We sing in every style from classical to pop, Broadway to gospel, and from cultures all over the world. As artists, we listen to the changing world around us and transform what we hear into music. We sing to challenge perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community, to combat fear and hatred, encourage compassion and human connection, and to thrill with the superb quality of our sound. Through our music, audiences mourn losses, cheer victories, find unconditional acceptance, and celebrate life. We perform in a variety of settings, including special, private, and corporate events, concerts, television appearances, festivals, Broadway and theatrical productions, conferences, weddings, parties, fundraisers, and community events.
Contact us: info@bapany.org, 212-344-1777, PO Box 250844, New York, NY 10025, nycgmc.org
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus is a founding member of GALA Choruses, the international association of the LGBTQIA+ choral movement. Founded in 1982, GALA Choruses represents 190 choruses, their 10,000 singers, and patrons in Australia, Europe, and North America. For more information please contact GALA Choruses, PO Box 99998, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233. Web site: www.galachoruses.org; E-mail: info@galachoruses.org
MEET THE AM
JOHN D. CARRION (he/him), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Metropolitan Studies and his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, specializing in nonprofit management, at New York University (NYU). He also earned a Master of Science (MSc) degree in sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - awarded with distinction. His MSc thesis focused on how music can form social movements as evidenced in LGBTQIA+ choruses. John has extensive experience in nonprofit management and executive leadership. He started his career working in residence life and academic service-scholarship at St. John’s University in Queens, NY, before becoming the Associate Director of St. John’s University in Paris, France. John then relocated to London, UK, and worked as a project manager for both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and for Marie Curie Cancer Care. His work at NYU has involved administrative and operational oversight for NYU’s 15 site global housing program.
John joined the London Gay Men’s Chorus in 2011 and created the LGMC’s Youth, Education, and Outreach program that same year. John served as Chairman of the LGMC from 2013-2017, where he led the transition to a modernized and ambitious LGBTQIA+ musical organization. John’s tenure as Chairman focused on cultivating local, national, and international outreach supported by and contributing to a revitalized fundraising platform. In 2016, John led the LGMC to deliver an expansive and inclusive celebration of the LGMC’s 25th anniversary. During John’s tenure, the LGMC performed with the NYCGMC at Various Voices Dublin in 2014 and then again in 2017 during the LGMC’s USA tour.
During his tenure, the NYCGMC has been featured on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Pix11, ABC7 NEWS, and the 75th Annual Tony Awards. In June 2022, John was named a New York City LGBTQIA+ Power Player. In February 2023, he presented at the Out and Loud and Proud Festival in Sydney, Australia, representing both Big Apple Performing Arts and GALA Choruses. He also presented three workshops at the GALA Choruses Festival in July 2024 in Minneapolis. John served on the GALA Choruses Board of Directors from January 2023 until he was appointed its Executive Director in September 2024. He began his tenure as Executive Director of GALA Choruses on November 1, 2024. This is his final concert with Big Apple Performing Arts.
JOHN J. ATORINO (he/she/they), ARTISTIC DIRECTOR John Atorino is a professional music conductor and arranger from New Jersey. He studied Choral Music Education and Conducting at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor under the mentorship of Jerry Blackstone and Eugene Rogers. After college, he went on to conduct with the Chicago Children’s Choir and teach music at Social Justice High School in Chicago. John moved back to the east coast in 2010 where he got his Master’s in Music Education at New York University while conducting the Men’s Glee Club and Mixed A Cappella Choir and teaching middle and high school choir during the day. In 2013, John was hired as Assistant Conductor for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus where he conducted the chorus on numerous outreach gigs and main stage concerts. While continuing to conduct with NYCGMC and NYU at night, John eventually left the classroom during the day and began editing and typesetting music materials for Samuel French/Concord Music. In 2016, John started a weekly queer-themed podcast which has been featured in “Best of” lists for Cosmopolitan, LogoTV, Out.com, Metrosource, and Screenrant among others. In 2020, Atorino left NYC and moved to Oregon where he served as the Artistic Director for the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus bringing them through the lockdown and back to the live stage. While serving PGMC, he produced and edited digital performances, arranged and orchestrated songs, commissioned a new piece by Aaron Dai, and led the organization to receive the Governor’s Arts Award in the summer of 2020 for their first ever digital performance (“Under Pressure”) and their continued 40 year tradition of choral excellence. He believes community singing is a radical act of humanity.
AARON DAI (he/him), ACCOMPANIST A graduate of Columbia University and the Mannes College of Music, Aaron began studying piano at the age of five and went on to win the UNICEF Youth Concerts Competition three times by the age of fifteen. He has concertized around the country, performing in New York venues such as CAMI Hall, Steinway Hall, and Symphony Space, and cities including Philadelphia, Houston, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
Aaron’s venture into serious composition began at the University of Pennsylvania under the auspices of George Crumb. His The Night Before Christmas for Narrator and Orchestra has been performed internationally and by actors such as Ana Gasteyer, David Hyde Pierce, Charles Busch, Andrea Martin, BD Wong, and John Lithgow. He has a history of fruitful collaboration with artists in other fields, including the late abstract painter Louise Fishman, poet Eileen Myles, and choreographer Kevin Hill. For his fifteen-minute miniature opera Hamlet, he collaborated with Pulitzer-nominated playwright Jon Marans, and the opera premiered in New York City with actor Darius de Haas in the title role. You Yourself Must Change It (text by poet Adrienne Rich), a work commissioned by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, received its premiere at The Town Hall and aired nationally on Sirius XM Satellite Radio for two months. Aaron is a founding member of and the resident composer for The Chelsea Symphony, and he is a four-time recipient of the ASCAP Plus Award, Concert Music Division.
A former clarinetist, oboist, and bassoonist, Aaron is now a sta pianist at the Mannes School of Music. He lives with his husband Tom and teaches in New York City. www.aarondai.com
TIM VALENTINE (he/him), STAGING DIRECTOR A nine year singing member of the chorus, Tim is ecstatic to be directing again with this amazing team. Tim currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Membership and Social Team and has volunteered as the co-chair of the Development Team building out fundraising strategies. As drag persona Autumn Spice and everything nice, Tim served as the Queen of the Chorus for the 2022-2023 season. Tim has directed, music directed, or produced over 40 musical productions in his tenure with favorites including A Chorus Line, Avenue Q, and The Who’s Tommy. He was the founding Artistic Director of Imagine Productions and the Executive Director of Short North Stage, both theatre companies in Columbus, OH. In addition to his creative outlets, Tim is the Executive Director of School Alumni Relations at New York University. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education from West Virginia University and a Masters in Higher Education and Student A airs from The Ohio State University.
ALEXANDER FRISCH (he/they), PRODUCTION MANAGER is thrilled to be working with the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus yet again. They previously worked with them on their Transgender Day of Visibility Concert and their “Our Joy is a Protest” concert. Other Regional and O -Broadway Credits include: STOMP, West Side Story (Short North Stage), and La Cage Aux Folles (Short North Stage). He would like to thank Johnny, John, and the entirety of BAPA for welcoming him back as well as the support from his friends and family! Alexander can be found on insta @frischaj or in drag @o!cialnikkilodeon.
ALEX WEISSMAN (he/him), COSTUME DESIGNER This is Alex Weissman’s second year singing with the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, and his fourth concert as Costume Director for the chorus. Alex is a Senior Fashion Designer at a womenswear design firm here in NYC. He attended Parsons University where he got his degree in fashion design. Alex loves singing with the chorus, and feels so honored to outfit his fellow singers. He hopes to continue making the Chorus look as good as they sound!
THE HOUSE OF DONYALE LUNA named after the first black supermodel, has all the makings to be a powerhouse in the ballroom scene. Founded in July 2023 in Brooklyn, NY, and o!cially established on January 27, 2024, this house has quickly made a name for itself. They were the first house to debut on a billboard in Times Square filled with talent in and o the floor from hitting the reggae charts and starring in the ballroom version of Cats. Members are also from Canada and a chapter in Taiwan, and is home to the newest Realness with a Twist 5k winner. Known for their unique blend of old school and new school vibes, the energy of their members is unmatched. Founding parents Icon Bugz DL and Legendary Aoki DL have cultivated a house that prides itself on being valid, tough competition, and bringing a fresh, di erent energy to the scene
New York City Gay Men’s Chorus | In
Memoriam
In our long history, the Chorus has lost over 200 members to AIDS and other causes. We mourn the loss of their contribution to our collective voice.
We are listing those members we have lost this year. Their names will be added, as stars, to our Memorial Quilt, glittering in the nighttime city skyline.
William Blaber | Sylvester Centrone
Joe Donovan | Kenneth Gould
Hugh Groman | Bill Haasters
Je!rey Wade Hall | Michael Hayward-Jones
Asim Javid | Alan Kaleleiki | Karl Manger
David Roggensack | Joseph Sikanas
Anthony Vitta | John Whalen
To see the complete list, go to nycgmc.org/inmemoriam
NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN’S CHO S
FIRST TENORS
Zach Aaronson (he/they/she)
Shafiq Akhtar# (he/him)
Matthew Androsiglio (he/him)
Gregg Aponte, Jr. (he/him)
J. Christopher Beck (he/him)
William Berrios
Andrew Bezek (he/him)
J. Arthur Brost (he/him)
Javonnte Byrd# (he/him)
Leigh Cambre (he/him)
Tommy Casmento (he/him)
Steven Chaiken (he/him)
Roy Chicas (he/him)
Paul Cloeter# (he/him)
Michael R. Dekker
Domingo Diaz, Jr. (he/him)
Andre Donegan (he/him)
Cody Eastman (he/him)
Conor Flood (he/him)
John-Anthony Forde (he/him)
John Forgy (he/him)
Nathan Fosbinder (he/him)
Erik Gosnell (he/him)
Michael Gulcicek# (he/they)
SECOND TENORS
Scott Abrams# (he/him)
Dîanté Aiken (he/him)
Stephan Amenta (he/him)
Max Bahneman (he/they)
Dan Baillie (he/him)
Mahana Barbadillo# (he/him)
Philip Bialer (he/him)
Dave Bolton (he/him)
Martin Richard Borromeo+ (he/him)
Ransom Bruce# (he/him)
Patrick Butler (he/him)
Thom Cantey (he/they)
Connor Carmichael (he/him)
Je erson Carson (he/him)
Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro (he/him)
Juan Colón (he/him)
Michael J. Connolly (he/him)
Rob Cordell (he/him)
Phillip Cosgrove (he/him)
Everton Dantas (he/him)
Benn Delisle (he/they)
Ifeanyi Ezeanya (he/him)
Gary Wayne Farris (he/him)
Tom Fenninger (he/him)
Jon Ferrari (he/him)
Ben Hladilek (he/him)
Tim Howard (he/him)
Steven Incammicia (he/him)
Kit James (he/him)
Ryan Kennedy# (he/him)
Sam Kerner (he/him)
Andrew King (he/him)
Seth Laidlaw (he/they)
Samuel Lartigaut (he/him)
Jo Lee# (they/them)
Timothy Leonard (he/him)
David Lorenzo López (he/they)
Aidan McKeon# (he/him)
Joseph McKiernan (he/him/they)
Kyle Medeiros (he/him)
Argenis Mendoza (he/him)
Nathan Merrill (he/him)
Matt Mroczka (he/him)
Alok Nadig+ (he/him)
Steven Neinstedt (he/him)
Topher Nuccio (he/him)
Bret O’Brien (he/they)
Carlos Ríos (any)
Tevis Robinson# (he/him)
John Fiscian (he/him)
Stephen Fuller (he/him)
Cody Gohl (he/she/they)
Sam Gradess (he/they)
Steven Gri!n (he/him)
Charles Hawkings# (he/him)
Michael Hollinshead (he/him)
Branden Holzer (he/him)
David Hopkins (he/him)
Greg Jack (he/him)
Daniel Jeoung# (he/him)
Jürgen Jones (he/they)
Ben Kaminski# (he/they)
Alex Keomurjian# (he/him)
James L. Knobloch# (he/him)
Matt Koplik (he/him)
D. Scott Laubner (he/him)
Viktor Leshchenko (he/his)
Je Lettiere (he/him)
Harry Lubowe# (he/him)
William Luce-Murray (he/him)
Austin Marolla (he/him)
Paul Maulucci (he/him)
Quint Mediate (he/him)
Omar Montes (he/him)
Arthur Rodriguez (he/him)
Samuel Ruiz (he/him)
Mark Schall (he/him)
Conor Sheehan (he/him)
David Sheehan (he/him/they)
Ralfie Torrusso (he/they)
Christopher Tucker (he/him)
Jeremy VandenHout (he/him)
Steven Visceglia (he/him)
Adam Waller (he/him)
Brendan Weaver# (he/him)
Lukas Weiss (he/him)
Wonpyo Yun (he/him)
Dario Nolfi (he/him)
Alex Nourishad# (he/him)
Alvic Plan (he/him)
Nick Prior (he/him)
Adrian Robins# (he/him)
Herb Rubenstein (he/him)
Marc Sachse (he/him)
Diego M. Santiago (he/him)
Ricardo Santos (he/him)
Takefumi Semba (he/him)
Dipal Shah# (he/him)
William F. Smith (he/him)
Joseph Spitaleri (he/him)
Frank Stancati (he/him)
Timothy Stewart-Winter (he/him)
Dany Stravino (he/him)
James Edward Temple
Timorell# (he/him)
Christopher Totten (he/him)
Tim Valentine (he/him)
Joseph Vayalumkal (he/him)
Marc Wakim
Joel Charles Yates (he/him)
William Zeolla (he/him)
BARITONES
Michael Allen (he/him)
Jonathan Antonelli (he/him)
Brandon Arnold (he/him)
Jordan Michael Barbako ^
John Bethea (he/him)
Brian Bice (he/him)
Ken Bloom# (he/him)
Brian Bowersock (he/him)
David Boyd (he/him)
Monte Brown (he/him)
John Cadue (he/him)
Raymond Cerabone
Mada Chen (he/him)
Christopher Chin# (he/him)
Phillip Claflin (he/him/she/her)
Michael Coleman
Andrew Coon (he/him)
José Covarrubias# (he/him)
Calder Craig# (he/him)
Kent Dennis (he/him)
Jay-Michael Dompor (any)
Timothy Fong (he/him)
Gennaro Fredella (he/him)
Austin Gutierrez (he/they)
BASSES
Joshua Allman (he/him)
Alan J. Anderson (he/him)
Shane Antony (he/him)
Mark Armbruster
Kyle Austin (he/him)
Philip Baglio (he/him)
Stefan Bailey# (he/him)
Adam S. Barrett (he/him)
Joshua Barry (he/him)
Nikko Betito#
Ivan Biglang-awa (he/him)
Patrick Bodd (he/him)
Stephen Brown
Paul Cernota (he/him)
Allen Chen (he/him)
Bobby Chow (he/him)
Ben Clawson# (he/him)
Morgan Crawford (he/him)
Michael Danz (he/him)
Robert Davis (he/him)
Mánus de Barra (he/him)
Gary Diamante (he/him)
Robert Featherstone
Dylan Ftera (he/him)
Harrison Hill# (he/him)
Mykael Hill (he/him)
Tyler Hohlstein (he/they)
Joshua Honrado (he/him)
Chris Ingrao# (he/him)
Nicolas Jourdan (he/him)
Mathew Kelley (he/him)
Timothy Kim (he/him)
Don King
Noland King (he/him)
Keiji Kubo# (any)
Jack Lada (he/him)
Patrick Leader (he/him)
James Lesu’i+ (he/they)
David Levitz# (he/him)
Mateo Lincoln (he/him)
Sam Linden (he/him)
Bryan Edward Lucas (he/him)
William Martorano (he/him)
Eric Maxwell# (he/him)
Kory Merten (he/him)
Robbie Metzbower#
Je rey Meyer (he/him)
Tom Miner (he/him)
Jon Gallagher (he/him)
Ashton Giese (he/him)
Mark Goldfarb# (he/him)
Du y Heitmann (he/him)
David Hill (he/him)
Andy Ho (they/he)
W. Scott Horne (he/him)
Alex Iwachiw (he/him)
Philip Je ery (he/him)
Russell Johns# (he/him)
Nick Jones (he/him)
Nathan Kendrick (he/him)
Mo Khan# (he/him)
Jacob Levine (he/him)
Rafael Lippert (he/him)
Paolo Lopez# (he/him)
Matthew Lorello (he/him)
Howard May (he/him)
Martin McDonough (he/him)
Nathan Mullen (they/he)
JP Napleton (he/they)
Ty Niggel# (he/him)
Joe Ottenthal#
Claude Peters (he/him)
Thomas Nelson (he/him)
Glenn Nobel#
Jake Oswell (he/she/they)
Eitan Perlin (he/him)
Michael Perotto (he/him)
Lee Rayment (he/they)
Brandon Reyes (he/him)
Adam Richardson (he/him)
Justina Calderon Rivera# (she/her)
Sven Schuchert (he/they)
Helio Sepúlveda#
Sean Richard Spivey (any)
Dennis Sprick# (he/him)
Alyn Su (he/they)
Charley Sullivan (he/him)
Wesley Sykes (he/him)
Robby Thompson (he/him)
David Warner (he/him)
Seth Watsky# (he/him)
Patrick Williams (he/him)
David Witzel# (he/him)
Edwin Yangga (he/him)
Rodrigo M. Zaragoza (he/him)
Greg Pierson# (he/him)
Jonathan Pinney (he/him)
Daniel Prior (he/him)
Carson Rammelt (he)
Charlie Rickle (he/him)
Greg Rider (he/him)
Schuyler Robinson (he/him)
Jordano Sanchez (he/him)
Alex Scholar (he/him)
Brian Schott# (he/him)
Ben Seagren# (he/him)
Josh Sippen^
Alex Sisk (any)
Sam Soik (he/they)
Lee Stern (he/him)
Alex Weissman (he/him)
Joel Weltman (he/him)
Chris Wong# (he/him)
Wayne Yeh (he/him)
Scott Zumbrunnen (he/him)
John Patrick Sullivan+ (he/him)
Alec Sutherland (he/they)
Jesse Tompkins (he/him)
Darren Trotter (he/him)
Jason Villarreal (he/him)
Jim Vivyan (he/him)
Jonah von der Embse (he/him)
Je rey Walter (he/him)
Bruce Ward (he/him)
^ Charter Member, 1980-81 Season
# On Leave + Section Leader
BOARD & S FF
BAPA Board of Directors
Troy Blackwell, Chair
Domingo Diaz, Jr., Vice Chair
McKenzie Keating, Treasurer
Michael R. Dekker, Secretary
Kyle Medeiros, Chair, Membership and Social Team
Daniel Baillie
Emily Baum
NYCGMC Section Leaders
Alok Nadig, Tenor 1
Martin Borromeo, Tenor 2
James Lesu’i, Baritone
John Sullivan, Bass
Spirits Bright Production Team
Tim Valentine, Staging Director
Tym Byers
Rob Byrnes
Rob Cordell
Bradley Hess
Joshua O’Sullivan
Dipal Shah, Esq.
Christina Simon
BAPA Sta!
John D. Carrion, Executive Director
John J. Atorino, Artistic Director
Lester Vrtiak, Operations Manager
Aaron Dai, Accompanist
Nicholas Sienkiewicz, Director, Youth Pride Chorus
NYCGMC Volunteer Leadership
Gary Miller, Conductor Emeritus
Alan Anderson, Concert Program Ad Sales
Leigh Cambre, Partnerships
Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro, Marketing Lead,
Project Manager
Michael Danz, Design Lead, Social Media Manager
Michael R. Dekker, Photography
Austin Gutierrez, Design team
Glenn Nobel, Music Engraver
Bret O’Brien, Paid Social, Social Engagement
Kenneth Shepard, Press
Josh Sippen, Grant Writer
Timorell, Director, NYCGMC Tonewall
Jim Vivyan, Concert Program Editor, Alumni Chair
NYCGMC Membership and Social Team
Kyle Medeiros, Chair
Tim Valentine, Vice Chair
Matthew Androsiglio, First Tenor Representative
Christopher Totten, Second Tenor Representative
Brian Bice, Baritone Representative
Joel Weltman, Bass Representative
Sam Gradess, Representative-at-Large
David Warner | Natalie S. Would, Royal
James Lesu’i | King James Lesu’i, Royal
Billy Luce-Murray, Assistant Staging Director
Alex Weissman, Costume Designer
Paul Maulucci, Assistant Costume Designer
Alexander Frisch, Production Manager
Kenneth Shepard, Production Assistant
Eli J. Medina, Lighting Designer
Jon Gallagher, Prop Designer
Leo Nobiletti, Stage Manager
Ash, Music Manager
ASL Interpreters | 3PM | Saturday show
Victor Rivera
Patrick Michael
Honorary Members
John Bucchino
Ann Hampton Callaway
Liz Callaway
Kristin Chenoweth
Petula Clark
Harry Diaz*
Chuck Dima*
Leslie Downs
Faith Esham
Ann Harada
Gean Harwood*
Casey J. Hayes
Jerry Herman*
Dudley Hogue
Cyndi Lauper
Dixie Longate
Lorna Luft
Robert MacWilliams*
Tom McGillis
Sharon McNight
Ruth Messinger
Larry Moore
Scott Nevins
Barry Oliver
Ellen Osborne
Our Lady J
Roberta Peters*
Faith Prince
Chita Rivera*
Joan Rivers*
Rt. Rev. V. Gene
Robinson
Joe Scialo*
Judy Sherman
Jim Singleton
Stephen Sondheim*
Elaine Stritch*
Deborah Voigt
Wally Wallace*
Lillias White
Margaret Whiting*
*In Memoriam
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE OUR SPONSORS
Rob Byrnes & Brady Allen
The Executive Transportation Group Overseas Trading LTD.
New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the Entr’acte Committee wish to thank these generous in-kind donors of auction items and event assistance.
We could not achieve fundraising success without them.
Aubrey Fitness
Aunt Jake’s
Avis
Balaboosta
Barry’s Chelsea
Bay Cafe
Beacon Grand
Blu Day Spa
Boatslip
Bradford Inn
Butch’s at Crown & Anchor
Christopher Street Tours
Circle Line
Company XIV
Copinette
Crews Quarters
Del Frisco’s Grille
The Dominick Soho
Executive Transport Group
Fanizzi
Hillstone
Hilton Midtown
JetBlue
Jimmy’s Hideaway
Kim Petras
Kurant Wine Bar
Lobster Boat
Lobster Pot
Marsanne
Museum of Broadway
Oh, Mary! – Tommy Doyle
Pastis
Paul Ramsey
Republic Records
RMA Limo
Rosemary’s
Ross’ Grill
Roundabout Theatre – Yellow Face
Shen Sifu Integrated Wellness
Soho Grand
Universal Studios
Photo credit: Alec Sutherland
DONORS
$30,000+
James D. Matte and J. Christopher Beck
$20,000+
City of New York
City of New York Department of Cultural A airs
Tiger Baron Foundation
$10,000-$19,999
Robert J. Featherstone Overseas Food Trading Ltd.
$5,000-$9,999
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Rob Byrnes & Brady Allen
Rob Cordell
Steven Favreau & Dennis Wyrzykowski Google
$1,000-$4,999
John Acierno
Anthony Alberti
Dan Baillie
Emily Baum
John Benson
Patrick Bodd
J. Arthur Brost
Charities Aid Foundation America
Christopher Street Financial Giving
S. Dennis Clawson
Michael Dekker
Paul Elsener & Denward Collins, III
$500-$999
John Atorino
Phil Bialer
Tom Blake
Juan Bonilla
Bryan O’Sullivan Studio Ltd
Helen Buford
Oliver Capel
Bobby Chow
Alain Cruanes
Robert Davis
Cody Eastman
Carmen Fox
Erik Gensler
Bradley Hess & Kevin Arendt
Nicolas Jourdan & Oliver Koh
Kevin Sterns & Chuck Skowron
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Steven Filenbaum & Matthew Woolf
Raymond Gallagher
Albert Hernandez
David Hill
Robert Johnson
Michael Kerner
Stacey Levy
Paolo Lopez
Kelsey Louie
Mardi Gras Festival Productions
Bob Marquardt
Jamie Harris & Mark Isom
Douglas Harrison
James Hartman
Ben Hladilek
Michael Hollinshead
David Hopkins & Brent Crook
Gene Kim
Robert Kim
Olga Kravchuk
Je rey Larkins-Abel
Richard Levine
Bert Marro & Herb Rubinstein
Stephen Bennett Milbauer
Chris Palmer
Ralph Passante
Dipal Shah, Esq.
Mark Short & Carl Ray
Eduard Slinin
Dennis Sprick
Surdna Foundation
Tim Valentine
Tom Viola
Lizzy Wallin
Wayne Yeh
Gary Miller & Daniel Starr
Jake Oswell
Stephane Picard
T. Oliver Reid
Adam Richardson
Greg Stevens
Adam Waller
Aaron M. Walton
Jamaul Webster
Martha Welch
Pierce Williams
Big Apple Performing Arts and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus greatly appreciate the generosity of all our supporters this season.
$150-$499
Carol Anderson
Mark Arumbruster & Billy Berrios
Richard Binder
Troy Blackwell
Dave Bolton
Harry Breaux
Lori Byargeon
Robyn Casella
David Castleman
Arnold Cernota
Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro
Allen Chen
William Ci airy
John Clark
John Cli ord
Roy Cockrum
Michael Coleman & Rob Donohoe
Juan Colon
Lisa Corcoran
Greg Crane
K & J Davey
Anne-Sophie DeHau
Gary Diamante
Jack Drescher
The Dulanski Group
Eagle Enterprises Inc.
Glenn Edwards & Russell Clark
Stephen Eich
Enterprise Lighting Sales
Aaron Foss
David Gallagher
Kevin Gallagher & Norbert Sorg
Concetta Gardziola
Allison Gonzales
Roger & Regina Gradess
David Gutierrez
Sarah Hadden
Mary Haley
Lisa & Larry Hilaire
Dudley Hogue
W. Scott Horne
IBD Solutions
Insight By Design
Janine Jones
Karin Kawamoto
Ellen Kazis-Walker
Richard Lemberg
Joshua Lenihan
Arthur Leonard
Harry Levine
Jacob Levine
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc.
Jean Lin
Avery Lipman
Betina Lippert
Linda MacLennan
Sue Mandell
Elsie Marius
Howard May
Ora McCreary
Mark McManus
Kyle Medeiros
Connie & Jerry Merten
Je rey Meyer
Carl Moellenberg
Melissa Mohler
Kevin Morris
Matthew Mroczka
Una Murray
Steven Neinstedt
Regina Neri
Matthew Neve-Kuehl
Michael Normile
Craig Notte
Karen O’Donovan
Joshua O’Sullivan
Gregory Pierson
Jonathan Pinney
Jerome Reilly
Sarah Reines & Richard Bornstein
Donna Richards
Brenda Richardson
RMA Worldwide
Chau eured Transportation
Debra Rupp
Angelo Sasso
Brian Scribner
Devina & Ashvin Shah
Joshua Sippen & Paul Fanfarillo
Devid Stahler
Frank Stancati
Lee Stern
Eric Sutton
Francis Toumbakaris
Jennifer Travers
Darren Trotter
Mark Truscinski
Christian Vaca
Lindsey VandeWater
Jason Villarreal
Laura Wallace
Alex Weissman
Je Winston
Ivan Witzel
Wonpyo Yun
Donors are listed at their levels for gifts made from November 1, 2023 through November 8, 2024. Although we do not list gifts below $150, we are sincerely grateful for donations at all levels. We are grateful to all who have assisted us through the pandemic. We apologize for any oversights. If you have a correction, please email us at info@bapany.org
