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PRISM CHORUS PRESENTS

MAY 30, 2025 • 8:00PM

Our Mission

PRISM is a volunteer, non-profit, performing arts organization whose mission is to provide an inclusive and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. We achieve this by fostering a creative space through music, building community, and promoting equity through performance and outreach.

Our Vision

PRISM envisions a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals are valued, protected and celebrated. We will achieve this through the production of quality and entertaining performances where all people are empowered to live their lives authentically. PRISM seeks to impact the local and national community by enriching lives through community service, philanthropy, and scholarship.

Our Values

We Need Your Feedback

Audience feedback fuels growth and inspires change. In the vibrant world of art your feedback is an invaluable tool that not only measures the success of a performance but also guides future endeavors and aids us in securing grants. Please take a few minutes following the performance to complete our survey.

PRISM is elated to see each and every one of you with us tonight and is proud to present this wonderful production: Broadway Bangers.

a note from our Artistic Director

My name is Darin DeWeese and I am proud to serve as the Artistic Director of PRISM. Many of tonight’s performers you will recognize from performances past and we would like to extend a very special welcome to our newest members in their debut performance with PRISM this evening. From dancers, to production team, to instrumentalists, to singers; this ensemble has worked incredibly hard to bring this show together and we can’t wait to share that hard work with you all tonight!

When PRISM was founded in fall of 2016, we never could have imagined that we would soon become one of Metro Detroit’s most prominent LGBTQ+ organizations. It is our privilege, not only perform great music together, but to support our broader local and regional LGBTQ+ community through our mission and outreach. Tonight, we are proud to walk alongside our community partner for this show: PFLAG. This organization is doing amazing work in our community and works tirelessly to support parents and families as they navigate the privileges and uncertainties of supporting and raising their children. It is PRISM ’s honor to walk hand in hand with this organization as they put in the hard work our community needs the most.

Tonight’s show will take you on a journey of contemporary Broadway highlighting the best of the best from the past 25 years. There is always so much focus on “Classic Broadway” and tonight we celebrate what the 2000’s and beyond has brought to the art form. For so many queer people – the theater was and is a place of refuge and escape from an often scary world. The theater is a place of – come as you are – where everyone is fully celebrated right down to our quirkiest quirks and the unique diversities we bring to the table.

Tonight also marks an exciting transition for PRISM. Beginning in the fall, PRISM will be moving into the city of Detroit and calling the city we know and love our new concert home. In December, we will be performing at Sound Board at Motor City Casino. We are so excited to partner with MotorCity Casino and are looking forward to bringing our fans into a wonderful new venue. Then in June 2026, PRISM will be making our Orchestra Hall Debut performing with the world-renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra! We extend the most heartfelt thank you to Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and the incredible shows we have partnered on. I have no doubt that PRISM will be no stranger to the MCPA stage.

We hope that you will be inspired to be outrageously generous with your support this evening through our raffles, basket prizes, and donations. The support from PRISM’s fans will continue to impact our community in a most profound way.

Enjoy – Broadway Bangers

Darin DeWeese, Artistic Director

Board of Directors

Shane Dunbar Chairman

Gerald Ashby, Jr. Vice-Chairman

Jantz Black Secretary

Jeff Foust Treasurer

Board Members at Large

Thank you to our patrons and members for continuing to be a crucial part of PRISM’s mission. Over the last year we have grown not only our membership, but our community give back through outreach and fundraising. PRISM has evolved through great leadership and outstanding member support.

My hope is to continue supporting PRISM and for us to propel ourselves to be one of Michigan’s elite not for profit community choruses. I want to personally thank our artistic director, Darin for his continued support and embodiment of our mission.

Bill LeAnnais Programming

I would also like to thank our board of directors, section leaders, committee members, donors, sponsors and everyone in between. Please know that every dollar donated, or hour given does not go unrecognized. I am grateful. A special thank you to my Husband John for allowing me to continue to spend countless hours away from home and supporting the cause I love.

Shane Dunbar Chairman of the Board of Directors

John Joanette Fund Development

Allen Stock Governance

Scott Felkey Community Outreach

Darin DeWeese, Artistic Director

A Michigan native, Darin grew up in historic Marshall, Michigan where he was involved with music from an early age. With an immense love for choral music, Darin followed his passion for singing to Michigan State University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Education in 2010. Following his time at MSU Darin served as the Director of Vocal Music at Tecumseh High School where he taught for seven years. During his time in Tecumseh, his choirs performed both locally and regionally, receiving numerous awards including being selected to perform at the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival in 2017. Following his time in Tecumseh, Darin served as the Artistic Director of the Out Loud Chorus in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 2019-2021.

As a singer, Darin has performed at major venues in the United States and abroad including Carnegie Hall, The Detroit Opera House, the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Miami, and has performed contracts with Celebrity Cruises. Darin currently sings on staff at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills and recently served in residence at Exeter Cathedral and the University of Exeter, England in 2019.

Dave Rains, Principal Accompanist

Is an Adrian-based, multi-instrumentalist, music director, and arranger who is thrilled to be working with PRISM. Originally from Detroit, Dave studied music at Adrian College and has a second home for the past 20 years at Croswell Opera House in Adrian while being involved with nearly 150 musical theatre productions. Dave has worked with Darin for many years dating back to serving together at Tecumseh High School for 5 years. He currently is the Director of Music for his Adrian-based Lutheran Church and lives with his wife of 26 years, Brooke.

Zoe VanSlooten, Choreographer

A dancer from childhood, Zoe danced with Dance Dimensions in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she first had the opportunity to assistant teach and fell in love with sharing the art form with students. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2016 to pursue her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from the University of Michigan, during which time she began choreographing for and performing in musical theatre productions across Metro Detroit. Post graduation, Zoe relocated to Royal Oak, Michigan. When she is not dancing, Zoe works as an Account Manager for a technology company and enjoys singing, reading and practicing calligraphy.

Tenor I

Robert Beckley

Michael Champagne

Jake McClory

Asili Mugei

Katya Powder

Jacob Wilkes

Ean Williams

PRISM ENSEMBLES

Men of Note

Tenor II

Brad Foucher

Jeff Foust

August Gorman

Jared Korotney

James P. Leija

Joey Noce

Joel Sobieray

Benjamin Andre

Renzo Arnold

Patrick Ballnik

Irby Cox

Scott Felkey

Stephen Bell

Richard Breaks

Jared Bugbee

Baritone

John Bruning

Aaron Denk

Matthew Kiser

J. Jacob Krause

Richard Smith

Matthew Solomon

Brad Tata

Men of Step

Jeffrey Cash†

Ryan Cochran

Jason Mapile

MenofStepis generouslysupportedby MC Personnel LLC.

The Dancing Daddies

Gary Olkowski

Mark Ortwine

Jerome Pettus

Brendon Pollard

THE PRISM ORCHESTRA

David Rains, Piano/Orchestra Leader

Orchestrations by David Maddux, NYC

Bass

Anthony Edwards

Rolando Fajardo

Jonathan Gibson

Paul Johnson IV

Bill LeAnnais

Mark D. Messersmith

Ivan Slaughter

Jakub Monforton

Bradley Smith

†Dance Captain

Robert Wilson

The PRISM Orchestra is generously supported By The Harold & Iris T. Abel Family Foundation

Fran Wakefield

Zack Rubin

Lea Detlefs

Mark Tarabusi

Lewis Middleton

Nick Voisich

Violin

Reed 1

Reed 2

Trumpet 1

Christy Husted

Andrew Meronek

Jonathan Peters

Andrew Toering

Jon Diener

Mike Morrison

Trumpet 2

Trombone

Synthesizer

Guitar

Bass

Drum Set

PRISM CHORUS MEMEBERS

Tenor I

Renzo Arnold

Patrick Ballnik

Robert Beckley

Kenneth Blair

Jared Bugbee

Michael Champagne†

Heather Covell

Blake Gronlund

Tenor II

Jantz Black

Joe Bryant

Evan Bushman

Ryan Cochran

Luke DeVantier

Rocky Dsouza

Shane Dunbar

Joel Eifert

Jason Eklund

Kirk Erickson

Brad Foucher

Baritone

Gabriel Abel

Josue Jonatan Ascarruz-Asencios

Gerald A. Ashby, Jr.

Tyler Barron

Robert Becker

Spencer Betts

Richard Breaks

John Bruning

Justin Cheong

Jacob Cooper

Irby Cox

Bass

Jim Alger-Hortelano

Benjamin Andre

Brenden Bell

Stephen Bell

Adam Bernard

Lawrence Budzinski

Bashhar Byrouthy

Jeffrey Cash

Trey Cudlip

Aaron GVY

Alex Joslin

Bryce Longenberger

Jake McClory†

Asili Mugei

Steph Newman

Katya Powder

Randy Ray-Gilchrist

Jeff Foust

August Gorman

Eric Hansen

Bill Ketchum

Jared Korotney

James P. Leija

Jason Mapile

Jacob Martinez

Leo Moschouris

Joey Noce

Gary Olkowski

Aaron Denk†

Walt Ecton

Scott Felkey

Michael Fitzpatrick

Joshua Fortuna

Charles B. Hardwick

Paul Kesman

Matthew Kiser

J. Jacob Krause†

Joe Krinke

Stephen Lyons

Mark Ortwine

Peter Durak

Anthony Edwards

Kenneth R. Ehart

Rolando Fajardo

Jonathan Gibson

John Joanette†

Paul Johnson IV†

Michael Kondziolka

Bill LeAnnais

Robert Savel

Ryan Turinsky

Kevin Van

Marquis Warren

Leon Wilborn

Jacob Wilkes

Ean Williams

Jerome Pettus

Brendon Pollard†

Ryan Ralph

Josh Simpson

Joel Sobieray†

Michael Tew

Quinn Upton

Robert Wilson

George Micah Woods

Josh Zimmerman

Steven Pejuan

Daniel Reeves

Christopher Schildgen

Bradley Smith

Richard Smith

Matthew Solomon

Brad Tata

Mathew Thompson

Jimmy Vogel

Jake Zinke

Brandon McIntyre

Mark D. Messersmith

Jakub Monforton

Eric Nikkila

Erik Sisco

Ivan Slaughter

Allen Stock

Scott Watson

†Section Leaders

Broadway Bangers Act 1

Broadway Bangers Overture

Come Alive

The Greatest Showman

Arr. by David Maddux

Music & lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. Arr. by Mark Brymer.

Welcome

Shane Dunbar, Prism Chorus Chairman

Found/Tonight

Hamilton & Dear Evan Hansen

Green Day Medley

American Idiot

Music & lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Justin Paul & Benj Pasek. Arr. by Jacob Narverud.

Music & lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt & Tre Cool. Arr. by Lisa DeSpain

Matthew Solomon, Jonathan Gibson, Katya Powder & Brenden Bell, soloists

Introduction Kenneth Ehart

Who Loves You Jersey Boys

Louder Than Words

Tick, Tick... Boom

Keep Marching Suffs

Arrangement commissioned by PRISM Men’s Chorus

Music & lyrics by Robert Gaudio and Judy Parker. Arr. by Alan Bilingsley. Men of Note • Men of Step

Music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Arr. by Steve Milloy. Men of Note

Music & lyrics by Shaina Taub. Arr. by Dave Volpe. Heather Covell, soloist

Introduction Jeff Foust

Tomorrow is a Latter Day

The Book of Mormon

Arrangement commissioned by PRISM Men’s Chorus

Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now Hairspray

Music & lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone. Arr. by Dave Volpe. Aaron GVY, Jared Korotney & J. Jacob Krause soloists

Music & lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. Arr. by Roger Emerson. Jeff Foust, Benjamin Andre & Brad Tata, soloists • The Dancing Daddies

Broadway Bangers Act II

Voulez-Vous

Mamma Mia Corn Shucked

Spring Awakening

A Medley from the Broadway Musical

If You Were Gay Avenue Q

Music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus. Arr. by David Maddux. Men of Step

Music & lyrics by Shane McAnally & Brandy Clark. Arr. by Eric Van Cleave. Gerald A. Ashby, Jr. & Bill LeAnnais, soloists

Music by Duncan Sheik. Lyrics by Steven Sater. Arr.by Roger Emerson. Rolando Fajardo, Blake Gronlund, Erik Sisco & Michael Champagne, soloists

Music & lyrics by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx

Ryan Turinsky & Jake McClory, soloists

Raffles

Gerald Ashby & Bill LeAnnais

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Monty Python’s Spamalot

What About Love

The Color Purple

Music & lyrics by Eric Idle. Arr. by Mac Huff.

James P. Leija & Richard Breaks, soloists

Music & lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray. Arr. by Mark Brymer. Stephen Bell, soloist

Defying Gravity Wicked

Music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Arr. by Eric Knechtges.

Spirit of PRISM Presentation

Katya Powder

Raise You Up/Just Be

Kinky Boots

Music & lyrics by Cynthia Lauper. Arr. by Mac Huff.

Jared Bugbee, soloist • Men of Step

Thank you!

We hope you enjoyed the show.

Together we will raise our voices...

Donate today to Our Pride Fundraising Campaign

PRISM envisions a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals are valued, protected and celebrated. We achieve this through productions of quality and entertaining performances where all people are empowered to live their lives authentically. PRISM seeks to impact the local and national community by enriching lives through community service, philanthropy, and scholarship.

Now thorugh July 31, 2025, funds raised through during our annual Pride Campaign helps us cover music licensing, rehearsal and performance spaces, community events including a myriad of Pride performances, and so much more.

Most importantly, your gift helps us remain a beacon of hope and expression for those seeking community at a time when many are trying to dim our light. Help us show the world that though resistance may rise, our harmony carries farther. We stand rooted, we sing undaunted, and with your support – we are unstoppable.

PRISM Men’s Chorus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

Special thanks to our 2025 fiscal year Donors & Sponsors

Our Corporate Sponsors

Visionary $7500+

The Harold and Iris T. Abel Family Foundation

Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan

The Hope Fund

Macomb Center for the Performing Arts

Michigan Arts and Culture Council

National Endowment for the Arts

SOHO • 215 W

Spirit of Christ Luthern Church

The Svane Family Foundation

Pioneer $5000+

MAGNA

MC Personnel LLC

Advocate $2500+

Stonewall Sports

Individual Donors

Guardian $1000+

The Dunbar Family

Charles Loney

Friend $250+

Gerald A. Ashby, Jr

Jeff Berlin

Tim & Amber Bryant

Margaret Carpenter

Irby Cox

Jeffrey Dunbar

Shane & John Dunbar

Scott Felkey

Jeff Foust

J. Jacob Krause

Graham Locket

CJ Loney

Stephen Lyons

Candace Monforton

David Monforton

Eric Nikkila

Ron Northrup

Allen Stock

Robert VerMeulen

Josh Zimmerman

Ally $1000+

Express Employment

Greko Printing

Supporter $500+

John Joanette

Lori Kunze

Honorable Mention

Jeff Banning

Juliann Binienda

Jantz Black

Steven Clark

David Dangovian

Eric Davignon

Barbara Davis

Barbara Edmonson

Olivier Foucher

Brad Foucher

William & Suzanne Gifford

Mark Gregory Vasquez

Tia Gronlund

George Horattas

Bill LeAnnais

Linda Lishchuk Hupert

Jenny McGee

Jasmine Smart

Jay Smith

MIa Sohn

Matthew Solomon

Clarica Stanish

Laurie Starr

Barbara Teron

Lea Thompson

Randy Walker

MotorCityPride travelingtogether Detroit Tigers anychancetodance fund-raising games fun&games simplysocializing cards anyone? Look what we’ve been up to...

Good friends! always with a smile a

New Member Vocal Placement

August 16th & 26th • 6 to 8pm

We’re always looking for new talent and friends!

There are so many reasons to join PRISM Chorus...great performances are just the beginning! If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear you at one of our upcoming new-member vocal placement nights on August 19th or 26th

PRISM is a TTBB choir open to all. Come be a part of our extraordinary and welcoming family as we start work on our December Holiday Movie Magic concert at Motorcity Casino’s Soundboard. Reserve your vocal placement spot now by scanning the QR cade below.

August 19 & 26, 2025, 6 to 8 pm Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church, 749 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson, MI 48017 scan me

PRISM Vocal Placement

Meet Kameron Knox, our George Jonte-Crane Memorial Scholarship Winner

We are thrilled to announce Kameron Knox as the recipient of this year’s $2,000 scholarship. Kameron’s personal journey with the viola — a path marked by perseverance, inclusivity, and excellence — deeply moved our selection committee.

Kameron reflects:

“Initially, my presence in the orchestra was a clear deviation from the norm... This reality prompted a deeper understanding of my own identity. I learned to appreciate my individuality, to recognize the value of my unique perspective, and to challenge the preconceived notions that accompany societal expectations.”

Through his commitment to music, academics, and community service, Kameron has demonstrated the spirit of leadership and resilience we seek to support. He aspires to pursue a business degree focused on finance, with a goal of creating opportunities for underserved children who dream of playing orchestra instruments. Another powerful excerpt from his personal statement:

“My viola, an instrument that initially seemed foreign, has become a symbol of my personal journey, a testament to the power of perseverance and the significance of inclusivity.”

We can’t wait to see all the incredible things Kameron will accomplish!

Help Support PRISM’s George Jonte-Crane Excellence in Music Memorial Scholarship Fund

Each year, in honor George Jonte-Crane, PRISM donates money to a graduating senior in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland or Macomb county who plans to pursue an Associate or Bachelors degree in the performing arts.