Harvey Milk 2013 Concert by SF Gay Men's Chorus

My husband, Eddie, has been involved one of the most exciting artistic projects to premiere in San Francisco this summer. For the last 18 months he has been the project manager for the “Harvey Milk 2013” concert that will debut this June with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC). He has facilitated meetings, raised money and generally helped to keep things on track. He has put in countless hours into this amazing project.

"Harvey Milk 2013" will perform June 26, 27, and 28, 2013 at Nourse Theatre in San Francisco.  The series of three concerts will commemorate the SFGMC's 35th anniversary as well the 35-year legacy since the murder of San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk. The concert features the world premiere of "I Am Harvey Milk” by Tony-nominated, Broadway composer, Andrew Lippa ("The Addams Family," "Big Fish," "The Wild Party," "The Little Princess").  The 12-momvement oratorio provides the audience with important glimpses of who Harvey was and the legacy that still inspires young and old, globally.  The piece opens with 9-year-old Harvey listening to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio and dreaming at that moment where his life will take him.  During the song cycle, the young Harvey, an adult Harvey, Harvey's mother, and others in his life will sing with the Chorus to portray this man, his San Francisco, and his powerful messages to the world around and beyond him.  The work features 3 professional Broadway actors; a 27-piece orchestra; videography; and, of course, the 300-voices of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.  

Link: http://youtu.be/3lmdgXNDBS4

The evening will open with "I Am the Legacy" comprised of works selected from a global, Internet call for submissions by artists who have been inspired by Harvey's legacy.  The selection of works will include a dance duo; an original video based on Harvey's words, visual art; an amazing piece written and sung by an 18-year old gay composer; and original choral numbers by an SFGMC member; a professor from Berklee School of Music; and a renowned, gay songwriter/actor/musician.  This portion will end with the words of Harvey Milk in an SFGMC commissioned piece entitled "Give 'em Hope."

Tickets are available from www.sfgmc.org or from www.cityboxoffice.com.

There have been a number of special events in the lead up to next month’s concert.

 - This past April 13th, SFGMC presented “Harvey's Soundtrack”. Harvey Milk loved all types of music from opera to Broadway, doo wop to disco. SFGMC’s two amazing ensembles, Vocal Minority and The Lollipop Guild, were joined by special guest Matt Alber for a 1-night-only show at the Marines' Memorial Theater.

 - There was a mini-concert at the Mill Valley Public Library on May 3rd. This was part of the library’s First Friday Night Series. The program honored the journey of the SF Gay Men's Chorus that began 35 years ago on a fateful day in November 1978 when San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk and SF Mayor George Moscone were assassinated.

 - A “Community Conservations” event was presented by Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation, in partnership with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus at the Castro Theater on May 15th. The evening featured a panel with individuals who knew Harvey Milk intimately and who went on to live his legacy through their remarkable lives. Several Facing History high school students discussed how Milk's legacy continues to shape our future.

Panelists for the event included Anne Kronenberg, co-founder of The Harvey Milk Foundation, who served as campaign manager of Harvey Milk’s historic 1977 campaign and was his political aide in City Hall; and Daniel Nicoletta, an American photographer, photo journalist and gay rights activist.

 - An photo exhibit and reception for donors and artists associated with the concert was held on May 18 two doors up from Harvey’s camera shop. It featured iconic photographic images of Harvey Milk and a view of Castro culture taken by Dan Nicoletta.

Side note: One of the featured artists in the first part of the concert is 18-year-old Julian Hornik, We have seen him in a number of local theatre productions including his award-wining portrayal of Noah in the musical “Caroline, or Change” with TheatreWorks. He recently booked a commercial that is getting rotation on local TV and radio. Julian composed and sings the jingle.

link: http://youtu.be/jhcI2-uBsUQ

More news about the show:
I Am Harvey Milk: http://iamharveymilk.com

The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/01/andrew-lippas-harvey-milk_n_2995549.html and
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-lippa/i-am-harvey-milk_b_3480463.html

Playbill: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177764-I-Am-Harvey-Milk-With-Andrew-Lippa-and-Laura-Benanti-Adds-Performance-to-San-Francisco-Premiere
Broadway World: http://sanfrancisco.broadwayworld.com/article/San-Francisco-Gay-Mens-Chorus-Announces-Added-Performance-of-Harvey-Milk-2013-Featuring-New-Work-from-Andrew-Lippa-20130507#
The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP309ed06c842140f1b399fd17c63945b4.html
Out Magazine: http://www.out.com/entertainment/music/2013/06/25/andrew-lippa-harvey-milk-sf-gay-mens-chorus

[UPDATE]
Review in Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-heymont/different-strokes-for-dif_b_3567816.html
Review in Stage and Cinema: http://www.stageandcinema.com/2013/06/28/harvey-milk-2013-sfgmc/
Review in Broadway World: http://sanfrancisco.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Reviews-HARVEY-MILK-2013-with-SF-GAY-MENS-CHORUS-and-ANDREW-LIPPA-Celebrates-the-Human-Spirit-20130704
Review in Edge:  http://www.edgesanfrancisco.com/entertainment/music/reviews/performance/145490/san_francisco_gay_men’s_chorus:_harvey_milk_2013