The South Coast Chorale (SCC) is entering its new season—and this is of no easy endeavor or a lack of immensely hard work.
The musical group, which gears itself towards connecting audiences through music that expresses the diversity of the LGBTQ community while also educating, is in its 23rd season and will be presenting Queeny Todd in Beauty Shop of Horrors under the creative direction of Steven Davison.
The parodic show, a mash-up of two Broadway powerhouses—Sondheim’s horror staple Sweeney Todd and Menken/Ashman comedic horror classic Little Shop of Horrors—tells the odd, campily vamped story of Queeny Todd, who has a deep-seated thirst for killing…with his curling iron.
The tongue-in-cheek book was written by a production committee for the chorale—where John Palmero of SCC stated the group has “some very talented volunteers in the group that love to work and create fresh, fun theatrical events”—while the show will borrow songs from other well-known shows, from Wicked to the Book of Mormon.
And simply put, the group just wants to have fun.
“I think gay audiences love theater because, simply put, it is so much fun,” continued Palmero. “It is full of drama and emotion. Our actors love it because they can be free and connect with an audience through song. It’s a way to explore outrageous and moving characters.”
Taking place at the First Congregational Church—whose pipe organ will be used for the show by acclaimed organist John West—the show will run for two nights back-to-back.
“First Congregational Church has always been there for the LGBT community of Long Beach. They have a wonderful Arts Council in the church that produces and hosts a wide variety of events at their facility,” said Palmero.
The group will continue its season with a one-day holiday concert in December; a spring performance at the Scottish Rite Theater; and a Sondheim parody dedication in the summer.
SCC’s production of Queeny Todd in Beauty Shop of Horrors will be performed at 8PM on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 at the First Congregational Church, located 241 Cedar Avenue. For tickets, click here.
For more information about SCC, click here.