Edric Mitchell _ Courtesy of Nick Shotwell. Used with permission.
There really is no other choral organization, other than perhaps within the local high school show choir realm, that is quite as leading edge as the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, now in its 33th season. That estimation is based on the professional quality of its adventuresome productions of the past few seasons and, in particular, its most recent concert, “All That Baz,” lead by IMC artistic director Greg Sanders. I attended Saturday’s 8 p.m. performance at Marian University Theatre.
L-R Kathyrn Frankewhich, Patrick Kuntz & Joshue Reyes. Courtesy of Nick Shotwell. Used with permission.
The innovative concept for this IMC spring concert was its tribute to the films of Baz Lurhmann, which included such works as “Moulin Rouge,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “Elvis,” and its program of contemporary music, always a mainstay in the scores of the Australian auteur’s classic tales. Ultimately, what all Lurhmann’s films share in common is love, so “All That Baz” was essentially a celebration of that universal theme.
The inclusive, all-volunteer 56-member group made up of primarily gay men (some of whom are musical educators) was accompanied by a backstage situated band of five performers, consisting of conductor Sanders on keyboards, Matt Richardson on piano, Joel Tucker on guitar, Connor Allen on bass, and Andrew Howard on drums— all of them superb musicians.
Showcased in snappy, pizazz-filled productions numbers, masterfully choreographed by Jared P. Norman were members of the IMC’s sensational, uber-talented subgroup IMSwing which included Matthew Altman, Matthew Ambrosen, Scott Archer, Nayte Burton, Jerico Hughes, Danny Kingston, Patrick Kuntz, Jared McElroy, Edric Mitchell, Joseph Perkins Jr., Josue Reyes and Patrick Wagner.
Sherry Hong & IMC. Courtesy of Nick Shotwwell. Used with permission.
The high-energy, fast-paced concert, with Ethan Butt serving as executive producer, sparkled with glamour and was infused with energy. Responsible for the show’s top-notch production values were lighting designer Kyle Cochran, sound designer Miles Hall, and costume manager Jeffery Crooks.
Highlights and those which spoke to Sanders’s status as a visionary taking the choral artform way beyond the pedestrian were the opening number “All That Baz” featuring Danny Kingston and IMSwing; “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” sung by Josue Reyes an danced by Kathryn Frankewhich and Patrick Kuntz; “Cole By Night,” with soloist Tyler Yarbrough and the IMC; “Lovefool” with Edric Mitchell; and a spectacular performance by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra violinist Sherry Hong and singers Jared McElroy and Aaron Munson in “Tango Roxanne.”
As noted in previous reviews of IMC concerts, I was once again impressed by the makeup of the audience. This one was as mainstream, demographically, as any other performing arts organization I cover in Central Indiana, with all manner of families and even children in attendance. Following its mission to “entertain, educate, and promote inclusive community,” there is no better ambassador for the LGBTQIA+ than the IMC, which also strives for excellence in an artistic product the entire community can take pride in.
For more information about the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus visit indianapolismenschorus.org.
