Hartford Gay Men's Chorus to Start Spring with LIFE IS GAY, AND SO ARE THEY!, 5/17-18

The Hartford Gay Men's Chorus will sing-in the spring with "Life Is Gay, and So Are They!" - a tribute to gay poets, composers, icons, idols and anthems, including such songs as "Being Alive" by Stephen Sondheim, "Stomp Your Foot" by Aaron Copland, "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga, and "A Stopwatch and Ordinance Map" by Samuel Barber.

A follow-up to its sold-out debut concert, the show will be at 8 p.m. on both Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue.

A salute to a variety of musical genres, the concert will feature pieces created by composers, lyricists and poets, all of whom happen to be gay. The music will include classical pieces byCopland, Barber, Langston Hughes and Benjamin Britten; Broadway tunes by Kander and Ebb, Sondheim, and Jule Styne; and pop songs by Queen, The Village People, and Elton John, among others.

Artistic Director J.D. Bauer said, "The Hartford Gay Men's Chorus sings a diverse repertoire, from pop music to classical pieces, which demonstrates our versatility and personality as performing artists, and allows the audience to have a great experience at the same time!"

With 29 singing members now, the year-old chorus sold-out all 296 seats to its first concert, "Believe," a one-night holiday celebration in December.

For tickets, visit www.hartfordstage.org or call the Hartford Stage Box Office at (860) 527-5151. All seats are $23, including handling fees.