Harps, humor and men in tutus plus beautiful music – must be time for the Seattle Men’s Chorus annual visit to Everett.
The holiday concert is Saturday, the prelude to a seven-show run in Seattle.
“Underneath the Mistletoe” features harps for the first time, by the University of Washington Harp Ensemble. The play list includes “First Noel” and “Carol of the Bells.”
“The sound they make is exquisite,” artistic director Dennis Coleman said.
“I chose music that will make the most of both the harp and the chorus. It’s going to be very special.”
The chorus of more than 200 voices will also sing a haunting rendition of “Ave Maria” and a new version of “Silent Night.”
The holiday concert incorporates not just Christmas, but Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other traditions, faiths and perspectives.
“There’s also humor, of course,” executive director Tom Luhnow said.
“The first act opens with the chorus singing full out – bombastic, I refer to it – in a mock German chorus singing great themes of classical music set to holiday lyrics,” Luhnow said.
Capt. Smartypants returns with its edgy humor. Think Insubordinate Claus.
The Everett show is also the premiere for Aedonis, an 18-member ensemble in the close-harmony style of Philandros, led by The Esoterics’ director Eric Banks.
The second act opens on a small town’s radio station in the 1950s, complete with local announcements and gossipy announcers.
The chorus will recreate the sound and arrangements of holiday songs from that era: Bing Crosby singing “Christmas in Killarney,” Johnny Mathis doing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and Andy Williams’ rendition of “Moonlight in Vermont.”
And yes, the audience can join in for a caroling sing-along as well as enjoy the signing by long-time chorus signer Kevin Gallagher.
This is the eighth consecutive year that Seattle Men’s Chorus has presented in Everett.
“We’ve always had a wonderful reception in Everett,” Luhnow said. “The guys are looking forward to the show there.”
They’re also looking forward to the free preshow dinner provided to chorus members by Everett’s Pave restaurant. “Every year the men give them a standing ovation,” Luhnow said.
The only potentially negative incident at a concert here previously turned out to be a positive one.
About five years ago a bus of senior citizens with tickets arrived.
“At that point, they discovered we’re primarily a gay men’s chorus,” Luhnow said.
Representatives of the seniors said they wanted their money back. The promoter couldn’t provide refunds to a such large number of people.
“So they went back and discussed it. … They decided to come in and try it,” Luhnow said. “… The bus group cheered and applauded and laughed like everyone else.
“That’s our whole mission. Please don’t judge us before you know us. … we share many of the same values with everybody else.”
Luhnow told the story of a Seattle music critic who started bringing her children to the Everett show.
Her daughter, at age 8 or 9, said, “Mommy, are all these men gay?”
Mommy told her yes.
According to Luhnow, the critic said, “It’s a diverse world. I did not want (my children) growing up with the preconceived notions that they hear at school.
“Now she can’t keep them away from the show.”
Seattle Men’s Chorus
8 p.m. Saturday, Everett Civic Auditorium; $16.50-$32.50; 425-257-8600.
Seattle Men’s Chorus
8 p.m. Saturday, Everett Civic Auditorium; $16.50-$32.50; 425-257-8600.
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