Heartland Men’s Chorus brings music and humor into the holiday season
Debra Globoke | Examiner.com
The Heartland Men’s Chorus is at it again. They have figured out how to combine traditional Christmas music with a wide variety of holiday music to present a heart-warming and joyous performance with Baby, It’s Cold Outside, this weekend at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. With such a wide variety of music, everyone is sure to find enjoyment in this performance.
The concert begins with The Little Drummer Boy, which can be previewed at https://hmckc.org/holiday-concert/. This link provides a video of a rehearsal version of this Christmas classic, done in the Heartland Men’s Chorus style. Following this opening, they move into a variety of colorful Christmas tunes, including Lavender Christmas and Black Christmas–both of which brought the audience to rollicking laughter. More solemn music followed, briefly, with more upbeat music to lead up to the intermission. After the intermission, the focus was on Santa Claus, with the Chorus members being dressed in Santa outfits. A variety of skits added to the music provided throughout the second half–most of which were hilarious. Smiles aplenty.
A very special treat of the evening was provided by Marilyn Maye making a guest appearance. This weekend’s performances are the last for Dr. Joseph P. Nadeau, as the Artistic Director of the Heartland Men’s Chorus. He has been in Kansas City, with the Chorus, for fifteen years. He is leaving for California, to conduct the Los Angeles Gay Men’s Chorus. Ms. Maye sang a song for Dr. Nadeau and then sang with the Chorus. She was a glorious addition to the evening.
Once the scheduled performance was complete, two encores followed. Each of these songs have a special meaning to Dr. Nadeau and to the Heartland Men’s Chorus, and were fitting as a proper way to end the two hour performance.
Colossians 3:16-17 says, “Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to your God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father,” (Good News Bible, 1978, New York, NY: American Bible Society). Music brings joy to God and to each of us. This event provides a variety of music for everyone to enjoy.
The Folly Theater provides a good seat to everyone. Parking is convenient, as well; although it can be somewhat pricey depending on the particular lot chosen. Refreshments of cookies and beverages are available prior to the concert and during intermission at a reasonable price. Good tickets are still available for the remaining performances, which are tonight (December 7) at 8:00pm and tomorrow (December 8) at 4:00pm. Tickets start at $15.00 and go up from there. Order your tickets now and be prepared to get in the holiday spirit–the Heartland Men’s Chorus way.