In celebration of SFGMC’s 45th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Disney, the much-anticipated concert will feature over 40 classic and contemporary songs from the Disney songbook performed by the 250-members of the Chorus and a 30-piece orchestra
San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall
*** March 16–17, 2023 ***
SAN FRANCISCO (January 30, 2023)—To celebrate the 45th anniversary of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) and the 100th anniversary of Disney, San Francisco’s premier choral organization will present Disney PRIDE in Concert, a family-friendly multimedia musical extravaganza taking place on Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Ave.). Single tickets ($29–$149) are available now at sfgmc.org/season-45/disney-pride-in-concert. Group tickets are available by emailing [email protected]. Both performances will feature ASL interpretation.
Marking its San Francisco Bay Area premiere, this two-act spectacular features new arrangements to over 40 classic and contemporary Disney songs from iconic films including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, Hercules, Zootopia, Coco, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and more. Backed by a 30-piece orchestra comprised of the best local musicians, the concert will showcase the 250 singing members of SFGMC. Providing the narrative of the concert, SFGMC chorus members will share personal stories of love, LGBTQ+ pride, and family ties that will be interwoven throughout the musical numbers. The evening will also include original video clips from beloved Disney films and archives.
“The music from Disney movies and musicals have become the soundtrack for our lives,” said SFGMC CEO Chris Verdugo. “As Disney celebrates 100 years of magic and SFGMC celebrates 45 years of community, compassion and music, we can’t imagine a more perfect partnership. Disney’s musical scores have left an indelible imprint as we discovered our favorite characters when we were children or in our latter years, connected more deeply with the themes of community, family and love. We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Disney on this thrilling Bay Area premiere.”
“Preparing the magical music of Disney PRIDE in Concert has been an incredibly special experience,” adds SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “At 250 members, we have a diverse and intergenerational membership, and music in this concert touches the heart of every single member of the Chorus. The concert music spans the early films, recent releases, and even some of the classic theme park melodies. A 30-piece orchestra, nonstop Disney/PIXAR animation, and personal narratives from storytellers within the Chorus make this the most immersive experience we've ever offered to our audiences. It is a performance I know will thrill our long-time returning audience members, and new and first-time concert goers alike!”
Disney PRIDE in Concert is being produced in conjunction with Disney Concerts, the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group. It will feature all-new musical arrangements by Chad Weirick and a book by BGMC Executive Producer Bill Casey and Tom Choinski.
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus would like to extend a special thanks to their Bay Area community cultural partners—Cartoon Art Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, and The Walt Disney Family Museum.
About SFGMC
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.
Under the leadership of CEO Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent touring schedules, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and ground-breaking performances. In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals and offices. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.
For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org
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