Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus connects with Elton John’s parade of hits for Pride Month

Six years ago, Donald Milton III, artistic director of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, was having lunch with the organization’s accompanist, Eric Baumgartner, racking their respective brains about future projects. They ultimately decided to collaborate on a concert honoring Queen — and then later a follow-up. With the success of both 2019’s The Best Damn Queen Show Ever and 2020’s Queens and Queen, the two have now chosen another musical icon to honor — former Atlantan Elton John.

The chorus’ Beyond the Yellow Brick Road concert, a collaboration with Yacht Rock Schooner, takes place June 13 in Mableton’s Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. Baumgartner is also the pianist for Yacht Rock Schooner.

John’s partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, Milton feels, has produced songs with emotional depth that touch every part of the human experience — and Beyond the Yellow Brick Road allows audiences to hear familiar songs in a new way.

According to Milton, John’s work is a natural fit for the chorus’ sensibilities. At age 79, he’s still creating music and releasing albums. “When people think about gay pop music icons Elton John is right there at the apex alongside someone like Freddie Mercury,” Milton says. “He has done so much as a philanthropist for the gay community. His coming out in 1991 was such a big deal. Beyond that, his catalog is so deep. We could do three Elton John concerts and never repeat a song.”

In planning the show, the big dilemma was just that — how to choose from 50+ years of meaningful music. As such, Milton and his team had to make some difficult decisions. “A big part of that is — what will sound great with the chorus and not just (be) an Elton John song? We want great arrangements that feel meaty for the chorus to sing.  We want great musical moments.”

He already had what he calls a strong version of “Rocket Man” from the previous Queens and Queen show but reached out to the arranger — and received 23 additional arrangements. One of the major opening numbers is “The Bitch Is Back,” while additional songs include “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Chosen Family” (actually written and released by Rina Sawayama but re-recorded with John), “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (Milton’s favorite John song) and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues.” “It’s really a hit parade,” Milton says.

In all, 18 songs are on tap and 150 members of the chorus will perform.

Chorus member Matthew Harrington, President-Elect of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, is happy to present the concert during June for Pride Month. “As we enter (this) month, we’re looking for things to celebrate,” he says. “It’s been a rough couple of years for the LGBTQIA+ community, and singing about joy is always helpful. As a gay person, being able to sing that experience through another person’s music is as special as it gets, especially when that person is Elton John. And songs like ‘Chosen Family’ and the atmospheric lyrics that Bernie Taupin writes, where it’s all about feeling and connection and feeling you’re not quite part of the space. That’s healing for people to hear, and it’s healing to perform as well.”

A member of the chorus for more than 30 years, Kevin Crumsey has always felt a connection to John, especially because the artist lived in Atlanta for so many years. He connected to “Chosen Family” as well. “Unlike many of my peers, I didn’t lose my family when I came out,” says Crumsey. “Many of my friends did. When I sing that song, it reminds me how lucky I am. I am thankful for being in the chorus and the friendships and relationships I have made. When I have Thanksgiving, these are who I invite over.”  

Milton became artistic director in 2018, and chorus members started rehearsing in early April. That has meant months of weekly and small-group rehearsals, sectionals and an all-day Saturday rehearsal. “With 150 singers, you’re talking about thousands of hours of collective effort,” he says.

Voices of Note is a nonprofit that brings together both the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, which performs its Pride concert Chosen Family at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 6 at Church at Ponce & Highland. The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus began in 1981.

It’s also significant for the chorus to perform in Cobb County, which has been known for its anti-gay legislation in the past but, as Crumsey says, has changed over the years.

Harrington promises Beyond the Yellow Brick Road will be an unforgettable evening. “(Audiences) are going to get sparkle. They’re going to get sass. They’re going to get incredible singing. This is a wonderful way to close out our 45th season. People will be dancing in their seats. The soloists are fantastic; the set list is fantastic. It’s simply going to be a great time.”

Where & when

Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, featuring the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and Yacht Rock Schooner, spotlights the music of Sir Elton John at 7 p.m. on June 13 at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre.

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Jim Farmer is the recipient of the 2022 National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Award for Best Theatre Feature and a nominee for Online Journalist of the Year. A member of five national critics’ organizations, he covers theater and film for ArtsATL. A graduate of the University of Georgia, he has written about the arts for 30-plus years. Jim is the festival director of Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQ film festival, and lives in Avondale Estates with his husband Craig.