Courtesy photo
The Gamble-Aires quartet, from left, is lead John Waugh, tenor Albert Weiss, bass J.D. Massa and baritone Rick Ives.
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 | 1:56 p.m.
Details
- What: "The Secret of Christmas" Gamble-Aires' annual Christmas show
- When: 2 p.m. Dec. 20
- Where: Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive
- Cost: $8
- For information: 451-1328
The secret of Christmas isn't going to be whispered, it will be belted out by a 20-member barbershop chorus at its annual holiday show.
The Gamble-Aires barbershop chorus, established in Las Vegas for nearly 50 years, brings together teens to octogenarians in a cappella. The audience can join in for caroling at the 2 p.m. Dec. 20 "The Secret of Christmas" show.
This isn't just a concert, said Larry Litchfield, a tenor who lives in Las Vegas. It's a "Tonight Show" spoof, video presentation and comedy show rolled into four-part harmony.
Litchfield plays an elf who is conducting a job search. More elves are needed in the North Pole to build toys. A few of these candidates will be humourously inadequate, such as Elvis, who misread the want ad for "elves."
"At the end we sing 'The Secret of Christmas,' and the answer is in the song," said Litchfield. For the second half of the show, the chorus will lead the audience in caroling.
It seems ironic to stage a show about employment, when that's already on so many minds this holiday season. Chorus Co-Director John Waugh said that wasn't intentional.
"We were just looking for a funny story line," he said.
The chorus is also looking for new recruits. But it's not as picky as Santa Claus.
Waugh just needs "singers. Male. In awhile we might start taking some women in too."
The Las Vegas group is a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a national booster organization for preserving barbershop music for men. The chorus plans to also join the Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association, which includes women.
Waugh, a retired Los Angeles stage performer who had a childhood role in the 1962 classic "The Music Man," is willing to teach new singers how to read music.
"They just need to be able to carry a tune," he said.
The Gamble-Aires meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays in the Scientology church at 2751 Emerson Ave.
Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or [email protected].
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy