A Night of Glamorous Music
In recent weeks, posters and palm cards have shimmered down across Delaware like so many pieces of party confetti. The central image is one of a golden statue, suspiciously like the one given to the year’s Best Actors and Actresses. Florescent pink letters spell out a word very similar to the name of the award given to the song and records of the year. So what is A Night at the Glammies and why is everyone getting so excited?
A Night at the Glammies is the name of this year’s cabaret performance by the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware (RCD). Founded in 1999, the Rainbow Chorale is Delaware’s premier community chorus that provides gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender persons, and their friends and supporters the opportunity to perform choral music in a warm and supportive environment. From its beginning, the Rainbow Chorale has made a name for itself with its musical excellence. In 2001, just two years after its start, RCD performed at the Inaugural Celebration for Governor Ruth Ann Minner and later that year shared the stage in Rehoboth Beach with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. By 2006, the group released its first CD, Sing Me to Heaven. More recently, RCD performed at the Grand Theater with the Delaware Symphony and also sang for Governor Jack Markell’s inauguration.
In addition to RCD’s two more traditional choral concerts each year, the cabaret production allows members to have a bit more fun. “The Glammies are all about glitz, glamour and glitter,” says RCD member Barbara Passikoff of Lewes. As RCD’s “gayest” show of the year, this cabaret is an extravaganza of small acts and full choral numbers that put gender-bending shenanigans nearly in the laps of audience members. “Between runways that jut out into the theater, and RCD members singing in the aisles, audience members will really feel like they are part of the performance,” adds Barbara.
This year’s cabaret features songs and dance that celebrate—and sometimes lampoon—our favorite movie stars and other glamorous idols. Among the songs to be performed are “Keep It Gay” (from The Producers), “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Songs from the hit shows Fame, Evita, and Chicago will also be given special treatment by the Chorale. RCD’s motto is “eliciting change through music,” and this year’s cabaret has a lot of changes in it. Costume changes, that is…as many as six or seven of them! “It’s an ambitious program that required a lot of extra rehearsals,” declares Barbara.
Joining in the fun will be several guest performers—members of the School of Rock, dancer Dennis Connor, and vocalist Peter Campbell. All of these talented performances will be guided by RCD Artistic Director Kathy Cammett, who brings with her an extensive theatre background and an upbeat and energetic attitude. Cammett has been a presence in the Delaware music scene for years, including teaching at Opera Delaware and the Cab Calloway School for the Arts, as well as production for shows at Kahunaville in Wilmington. Musical support for the evening will come from RCD’s talented collaborative pianist and prior guest Director Andre’ Vermeulen.
The Rainbow Chorale has performed cabarets for years in northern Delaware, but this is the first year that RCD is bringing this unique form of musical merriment to Sussex County. The Chorale currently has several singers from lower Delaware. The Chorus hopes that bringing the Cabaret downstate will encourage other singers from this area to join the group and literally come along for the ride. “This colorful and dynamic production has filled our heads with visions of song lyrics and dance steps. We won’t get a good night’s rest until after we’ve taken the final bow! We know that there’s a community here that will appreciate and enjoy it, and that makes us all feel great,” adds Barbara.
All the rehearsals and costume changes and choreography come together for a one-night only performance at the beach on Saturday, March 19, 2011. The cabaret (with refreshments and silent auction) will be held in the Rehoboth Theatre of the Arts, 20 Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach, with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through the Rainbow Chorale’s website, and a variety of seating plans and ticket prices are available. General admission seating starts as little as $25 a person. The dress code for the night is Fabulous!
For more information or for tickets, visit the Rainbow Chorale website or call 888-512-5093.