GMCLA will perform at the Saban Theatre on Dec. 16 and 17. (photo by Gregory Zabliski)

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles is back again to serenade the city with its annual holiday concert, this time with a high-profile guest star, Wayne Brady, and a return to the historic Saban Theatre. The show “Hooray for Holidays,” will be performed on Dec. 16 and 17.

“[The Saban] is in the middle of everything,” GMCLA executive director and producer Lou Spisto said. “It’s central to folks who live on the west side, folks who live on the east side, folks who live in town. So, the venue could not be more wonderful.”

Working in conjunction with Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts, GMCLA will be extra special this year, with the addition of the temple’s longtime cantor, Ilysia Pierce to the lineup, helping to bring a true multicultural experience to the holiday concert.

“They literally called me and invited me to participate with them in the concert without even hearing the song. It was so touching,” she said.

Pierce will be singing “There’s Something About Those Candles,” written by Sandy Sherman.

“It’s really very, very emotional and very haunting,” she said. “We’re living in some scary times. And I think any person, man [or] woman can relate to a lot of what the Jews are going through, and Jews, I think, can relate to their struggles as well.”

Pierce added that this year “Hanukkah had a whole a whole new importance,” due to the ongoing conflict in Israel.

“Hanukkah really became important for Jews around the world because of its message of light and hope,” she said. “So, I feel honored to be able to be that person coming in to sing a Hanukkah song, and it is about the candles and the light that it brings.”

Member Thomas Franklin discussed how GMCLA works to be inclusive in the breadth of its holiday performances.

“We’re at a time when we’re starting to learn [how important] inclusion [is],” Franklin said. “So, I just think that we should continue to represent that with everything that we do.”

For Brady, the concert comes at an important time in his life journey. In August, Brady came out as pansexual.

“Performing with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles is something that I would’ve welcomed at any stage in my life,” Brady said. “In fact, I’ve wanted to [participate] for a few years, but my schedule wouldn’t allow. But doing it now is just a little sweeter because of where I am in life. This year my gift to me is the gift of being true to myself.  I get to celebrate that by singing songs I love with the beautiful voices of the chorus.”

The LGBTQ+ community has embraced Brady, and the chorus members are excited to perform with the star of stage and screen.

“He’s always been a part of our musical community,” Spisto said. “Wayne has always been with us in spirit. He’s always loved the chorus and wanted to be on our stage. And now he’s part of our community in another way. It’s really quite profound.”

“The fact that he’s a part of our community and is out now, for me it’s a two-level thing,” Franklin said. “One, it’s just great for our community in general whenever we have celebrities that identify with our community. I think that’s huge, because [of] representation. But even for me, in a smaller niche group, just as an African American male, someone in the gay community as a celebrity, that’s not something that’s out there very often. And so, for me to be able to see that on stage and for others to be able to see that on stage with us, I think that’s huge.”

The concert will include songs that were made famous by film and television, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “White Christmas,” from both “Holiday Inn” and the titular 1953 movie. A tribute to the Christmas tunes from “The Polar Express” will also be a part of the proceedings.

The chorus will also perform “When You Believe” from “The Prince of Egypt,” with Pierce stepping in for the Mariah Carey portion of the song, originally a debut with Whitney Houston.

“We’re kind of working through that right now to try to figure out the logistics of the song but it’ll be amazing,” Pierce said. “I’m really, really honored to be joining them on this piece.”

Pierce also discussed how concerts like this with GMCLA are a great equalizer among diverse communities.

“Music is kind of like when you go to a sports game, it brings people together of all races, religions, social standing, political views – everybody comes together to enjoy that song or that band or that superstar,” Pierce said. “And then they all come together to cheer on their sports team. And, you know, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, what color you are, you just come together and enjoy. And I think music is so like that.”

“Holiday music always fills me with joy,” Brady said. “I love the message of family and it’s a beautiful vehicle for being thankful. Life can be hard and there’s something about Christmas and holiday songs that fill us with hope. I love that.”

Ilysia Pierce, who has been the cantor for Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts for 25 years, will join GMCLA for its “Hooray for Holidays” concert. (photo courtesy of Ilysia Pierce)