New York Philharmonic Celebrates Pride

 

I can't say enough about the Pride concert staged by the New York Philharmonic yesterday at Lincoln Center. I purchased tickets on a bit of a lark -- we typically kick off the limp-wristed season with the Queerty party, but alas, no invitation arrived, so I bought this instead -- and didn't really pay too much attention to the details. And what details they were!

In addition to the acclaimed orchestra -- one of the Big Five -- the program featured Tony-nominated vocalist Jenn Colella; Noah J. Ricketts, whom we loved as Frankie Hines, the drag queen love interest of Marcus (Jelani Alladin); and the New York City Gay Men's Chorus.

While it would be safe to assume anything this lineup performed would be wonderful, it was made that much sweeter by a special set list of works by gay composers and lyricists with a NYC twist, curated for the night by conductor Ted Sperling's husband.

Highlights included Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Leonard Bernstein's "Times Square"; Cole Porter's "I Happen to Like New York" (exuberantly performed by Colella); "Everybody Says Don't" (gender-flipped by Ricketts); "Don't Rain on My Parade" (basically gender-flipped by Colella); Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's "I Wish I Were in Love Again" (another Colella showstopper); Tchaikovsky's "Valse"; as well as some more modern numbers -- a Laura Nyro composition, a song from "Hairspray" and Alicia Bridges's "I Love the Nightlife," which the choir boys completely ran away with.

In addition to the world-class performances, the night was made even more special by the warm and caring leadership of Sperling, who struck the perfect tone for where we are, embracing the celebration of Pride while also encouraging the audience to let the arts act as a salve for these troubled times.

Matías Tarnopolsky, Philharmonic president and CEO, gave a moving opening statement, during which we learned that "Celebrate Pride!" has officially been renewed, with hopes of its becoming a longtime NYC Pride tradition.

Following the show, everyone was invited to an after-party on the terrace -- the weather was as gay-friendly as the music -- where we had a great time catching up with some old friends and making a few new ones.

Since moving a stone's throw from the city's preeminent performing arts center, I have been trying to determine exactly what kind of related "queen" I am.. While it's no secret that I'm no theater queen, my nascent status as an opera queen may have to step aside for the orchestra queen growing inside me!