Betty Buckley with Seattle Men's Chorus: 'Memorable'!

When you think of Betty Buckley, you automatically think, ‘Memory’ from ‘CATS”. You can’t even picture her singing anything else, much less, Christmas carols!

When you think of the Seattle’s Men’s Chorus, you think large, very respected and GAY men’s chorus singing traditional with a twist of CAMP.

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night performance of Seattle Men’s Chorus’ ‘Santa Baby’ with Special Guest, Broadway Diva, Betty Buckley. Despite the fact that Buckley only appeared for the first 2 performances, the rest of the show’s multi-performances are worth seeing.

The show started with a rare backup of Benaroya Hall’s pipe organ, which I don’t remember being used at an SMC concert since 2000. The first 3 numbers (including a salute to Strauss, Wagner, Verdi and Tchaikovsky and Maurice Durufle’s ‘Gloria’ and ‘Sanctus’).

Then it moved to more Comtempory with Broadway’s ‘Downtown’ with new lyrics by Eric Lane Barnes with ‘Kidrow’ added in the place of ‘Skidrow’.

Longtime Music Director, Dennis Colemen introduced, Betty Buckley. Will she sing, ‘Memory’? No, she sang 2 Christmas carols, and left the stage.

The Act 1 finale was a showstopper with the Bollywood style,’ Bolly Jolly Holiday’.
Act 2 started with Christmas tributes to the Muppets, The Misers, Partridge Family and Star Wars created by Maddux and Barnes.

Another SMC tradition, a performance of "Silent Night" with all 250 singers signing the song.

The Act 2 Finale paid tribute to Michael Jackson with the Christmas themed ‘Thriller’.

It wasn’t over yet, National Drag sensation, Arnaldo! came out with 4 beefcake guys for a special solo performance.

Buckley, came out one last time to belt out the STRONG and EMOTIONAL, ‘Oh Holy Night’.

Just when, you thought there was no ‘Hope’, Buckley commented, “I heard I would be in trouble if I didn’t close with a particular song, She sang ‘Memory’ to a much appreciated audience. Click Here to see her perform 'Memory'