Gary Holt and Joey Landwehr discuss Gay Men’s Chorus upcoming show ‘Rocket Man – The Music of Elton John’

By Tom Felkners | SDUN Guest Reporter

Before the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus takes the stage for “Rocket Man—The Music of Elton John,” the group’s Artistic Director Gary Holt sat down with Joey Landwehr, the show’s director and choreographer, to talk candidly about preparing a group of 130 men to perform music from what is arguably one of the most recognizable artists.

Landwehr is artistic director of J*Company Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and this show marks the 10th collaboration with the chorus. The show is April 13 and 14 at the Birch North Park Theatre.

Tom Felkners: If Elton John snuck in to the back of the theater and saw the show, what do you think he’d have to say?

Joey Landwehr: I think he’d be very proud of what we put together. I would love for him to come. If anybody knows Elton, please invite him.

Gary Holt: I think he would be very pleased with the integrity and respect we’ve given to his music. Clearly, he didn’t write these as songs for a chorus, but we’ve showcased the great musical form and substance that he breathed into them.

TF: In the back of your mind, do you ever think ‘What would Elton do?’

GH: I do when I teach the music to the singers. And honestly, I was never an Elton John fan. But, I’ve become a huge fan as I’ve lived with his music over the past year. It just gets inside of you.

TF: As two people directing different parts of the show, how do you strike that balance of working together?

JL: Gary and I work really well together. We have our moments when we might not agree on something, but that’s how the artistic process works. I have a huge respect for Gary and can be very open and honest with him. If I really think something will work, he’s always willing to let me try it out.

GH: I obviously feel the same way about Joey. He’s one of those rare artists who dreams big and then knows how to transform it into action. The curtain goes up and it just sort of happens. But we all know it doesn’t really just happen. He puts a ton of work into making it happen: to making things fly and leap and materialize.

TF: Gary, you’re going to be conducting from the piano. How does that present challenges? Or is it easier for you?

GH: I’ve always considered myself first and foremost a pianist. I grew up on the piano bench, so I am most comfortable at the keyboard. Elton John’s music doesn’t really require a conductor down front. It actually sings itself. So I get to be at the piano dressed in some outrageous Elton John outfit as part of a great rock band.

TF: Speaking of outrageous costumes, do you have fleeting thoughts of ‘We need more sequins and glitter?’

JL: Not for this concert. There’s going to be a lot of sequins and glitter. It’s just built into an Elton John concert.

GH: I’m always a big fan of more sequins and glitter. Although now that I’m discovering some of that is going to be on me, I may not be such a big fan of it anymore. But, you can never have enough sequins and glitter in a gay men’s chorus.

TF: Joey, in addition to directing, you’re the show’s choreographer. What’s it like wearing two hats at the same time?

JL: With a group like the chorus, it makes sense in many ways for the choreographer to have that overall directorial view as well. Our dance troupe has influenced what I’ve done as a choreographer and director as well. We collaborate on things. If there’s a section I’m having trouble with, I’ll bring it to my dance team and say, ‘Let’s work on this together.’

TF: I hear the chorus’s rendition of “The Last Song” is going to be very poignant. Can you talk about that without giving away any secrets?

JL: What we’re trying to bring forth with “The Last Song” is that you can have a family wherever you are. We’re reminding our audience that a family is a family as long as you love them and they love you.

GH: For a lot of our singers, the chorus is really the first time they’ve truly experienced any sense of family. So “The Last Song” is a celebration of life and families. When we move people, we do it in a joyous, uplifting way. That’s the take away for this concert.

TF: Will that be the climax of the concert?

GH: “The Last Song” is close to the end of the show. But there are a few songs after it that really tie the whole show together. Joey and I paid a lot of attention to the shape of the concert. There are 18 songs, but many of them are short and fast. It’s going to go by in the blink of an eye just because there’s so much to take in on stage with the dancing and the lights and the projected images.

JL: It’s really a lovely roller-coaster ride that we’ve put together. We’ve created this beautiful arc of Elton John music.

GH: Chorus directors talk about the ‘11 o’clock moment’ in a concert. That really refers to the next to last song or sentiment that you want the audience to savor. And so “Your Song” is our 11 o’clock moment. It’s just going to be exquisite. There’s no dancing, there’s no visual stuff. It’s just about the song itself and the beautiful singing.

Tickets for the Saturday, April 13 performance at 8 p.m. are $25-$43; and tickets for the Sunday, April 14 matinee at 3 p.m. are $21-$38. A $5 discount is available for seniors, students, military and groups of 10 or more. The Birch North Park Theatre is located at 2891 University Ave. in North Park. For more information and tickets visit sdgmc.org or call 877-296-7664.

Editor’s note: Tom Felkners’ partner is both a member of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and current marketing director on the organization’s board.