April 2, 2004

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

9

No Sharks, no Jets, just Red

Orchestra celebrates the works of two gay composers

by Anthony Glassman

Cleveland-In 1957, the musical West Side Story brought the classic Shakespearian tale of Romeo and Juliet to a new generation of audiences.

Combining the talents of two of the most famous American composers of the twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story exemplifies American musical theater. Bernstein wrote the music, Sondheim the lyrics. While Bernstein is now dead, Sondheim continues to be one of the biggest names on Broadway.

Despite his marriage and children, Bernstein was gay. His parties were a virtual who's who of queer literati. Sondheim is also gay. Between them, the two were responsible for some of the most famous works in American musical theater.

Fast-forward to 2004, as Red (an orchestra) celebrates its sophomore season. Openly gay artistic director and conductor Jonathan Sheffer started Red in 2002 to bring new Cleveland area listeners to the world of classical music. He decided to present those two iconic composers to northeast Ohio in a way less familiar to audiences.

Sheffer founded New York's Eos Orchestra, and during his days in New York had met both Sondheim and Bernstein. He realized the depths of their talent. Sheffer decided it was time for their works to shine anew.

"I think what I'm trying to do here, as with all Red concerts, is to introduce people to the work of a favorite composer they may not know," Sheffer said. "Beyond West Side Story and beyond Sondheim's musicals there are works that give a deeper picture of classically-trained composers working in less popular idioms."

The show will do just that, presenting Sondheim's "Stavisky" Suite and Concertina (1949), as well as Bernstein's Clarinet Sonata and Prelude, Fugue and Riffs.

Even more than bringing audiences this music, Sheffer can honor the men who have made such an impact in his life.

"Bernstein was the most galvanic, dynamic and intimidating musician I have ever known," he said. "I spent precious little time alone with him, but saw him a great deal with his family, since I first knew his children as friends. When he gave me a moment or two alone in his studio, I played him some of my songs, which he always tried to rewrite on the spot!"

He continued, "Sondheim has been more of a longtime friend, an ally and a supporter, a friendship that has been one of the most important in my musical life."

While Sheffer dismissed any direct correlation between their sexual orientation and their talent, he did note, "It is safe to say that an unusually large percentage of 'great' American composers have been gay."

Sheffer also dismissed another classic stereotype. When asked about his baton, and whether any of the musicians under his com-

Jonathan Sheffer

mand were brave enough to joke about his "big stick," he brought up the San Francisco Orchestra's openly gay conductor.

"Actually, like on of my main teachers, Michael Tilson Thomas, I prefer to use a very short baton, which belies the notion that size matters," he quipped.

Red (an orchestra) will present two performances of "Lenny and Steve," the works of Bernstein and Sondheim, on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 13 and 14.

The April 13 show is at 8 pm at BaldwinWallace College in Berea, and the April 14 show is at the Tri-C Metro Campus auditorium in downtown Cleveland.

For more information, log onto www.redanorchestra.org, or call 440-

519-1733.

Curbside

NEW TRADE ROBERT KIRBY

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by Robert Kirby

•BUT EVENTUALLY, WHEN I LOST MY JOB.....

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•ho hum?

SEE, YOU'RE

энт

1901

DOING IT Now!!

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I HAD TO FALL BACK ON DESPERATE MEASURES:

YEAH, RODNEY, I'M THE DARK-HAIRED SMOKER, UH HUH... THE ONE WHO FUCKED YOU IN YOUR KITCHEN, YUP...

So, WAS WONDERING IF YOUR OF FER STILL STOOD....YOUR OFFER, REMEMBER? YEAH? OK THEN.

WORKING AS A MALE DANCER WAS BETTER PAY THAN WORKING AT THE COFFEE JOINT, BUT THE TIP SITUATION REALLY SUCKED AT TIMES.

NAH-UH UM

YOU GET IT ONLY AFTER YOU SHOW ME A LITTLE MORE..

MOBY

OH,

WHATEVER