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POLAR EXPLORER ANN BANCROFT TO NARRATE OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY AT UPCOMING TWIN CITIES GAY MEN’S CHORUS CONCERT
March 18, 2013 (Minneapolis) –Renowned Polar explorer, educator, lecturer, and philanthropist Ann Bancroft will be the featured guest narrator when Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus performs Oliver Button is a Sissy during its spring concert, It Gets Amazing, which will be performed at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the U of M campus Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m.
“I am really excited about this opportunity,” said Ann Bancroft. “It’s an honor to be with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus as we revisit Oliver Button together.” Bancroft participated in the 2001 film Oliver Button is a Star, a multi-media retelling of the classic story Oliver Button is a Sissy that included animation, celebrity childhood stories, interviews with first graders, and music from the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.
“I am so delighted to work with Ann Bancroft,” said Dr. Ben Riggs, Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. “She is truly an inspiration and a role model for all young people to pursue their dreams.”
Act II will feature Oliver Button is a Sissy, based on the classic child’s story by Tomie dePaola. Originally commissioned by Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus in 2000, Oliver Button is a Sissy is the heartwarming story about a boy who likes to sing and dance rather than play sports or engage in activities enjoyed by ‘normal’ boys. This simple story teaches powerful lessons about embracing differences, nurturing talent, and striving to achieve one’s dreams. The role of Oliver Button, originally created by Chorus member Chris Mellin, will be reprised by Mr. Mellin.
To promote the concert, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus asked Chorus members to share their stories of when they knew that they were “different” and when they realized life would get better. The videos and text of “Our Amazing Stories” will be posted to our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thetcgmc) and our website (www.tcgmc.org/amazing) throughout the month of March leading up to our concerts on April 5 and 6.
“As an organization, it is our hope that at the end of the evening, our audience will leave with a message of inspiration and hope that life doesn’t just get better…it gets AMAZING!” said Artistic Director Dr. Ben Riggs.
Tickets are now on sale through U of M Tickets and Events.
