Turtle Creek Chorale certainly knows how to mix in a grand dance number and quirky costuming in with its classical and contemporary performances.
(Photo courtesy of Turtle Creek Chorale)
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
The Turtle Creek Chorale has a knack for being a class act — but with a touch of sass in all their performances. The singers certainly know how to mix in a grand dance number and quirky costuming with sublime vocals of classic and contemporary pieces.
Next week though, the company is going to show off its vers side with a whole different type of performance — and it’s one that comes with an explicit content warning.
On May 2, the Turtle Creek Chorale goes cabaret with the new show Songs We Can’t Sing on Stage, an irreverent, adults-only evening of cabaret classics filled with language, innuendo and — gasp! — partial nudity.
If you’re clutching your pearls, you’re not alone.
TCC will host two performances, one at 5 p.m. and a second at 8 p.m.
“This is going to be a very adult night with a lot of boundary-pushing songs that are also fun and silly,” TCC Artistic Director Sean Baugh said. “There are songs of a bold sexual nature but nothing lewd — just some adult humor.
“Our guys like to have fun so this gives them that opportunity.”
The show promises a mixtape of old and contemporary tracks with special guest Denise Lee, and all of it hosted by Helen Holy. It all takes place at Oak Cliff Assembly, a new space for the chorale away from all the major venues the singers are used to.
“We had been looking for opportunities to sing in Oak Cliff. That’s also a queer hub in addition to Oak Lawn — or maybe in spite of Oak Lawn,” Baugh said. “But we had been searching for a place to get our footprint in Oak Cliff. A friend suggested this, and it was absolutely perfect. What I love about it is that it is an old church and a perfect place to do this rather inappropriate show,” Baugh said.
A concept that sets up Helen Holy perfectly.
“I mean, she’s this good Christian woman, so she might not completely understand what she’s getting herself into,” Baugh added.
So what are audiences getting themselves into?
The show starts off like a church service but soon turns into a bawdy cabaret, with selections that range from inappropriate jazz oldies to Broadway showtunes and even Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry,” where audiences will see some turtles undressed.
“This is rated R, but not rated X,” Baugh assured.
Baugh had the idea for this a year ago. As it came together, his goal for the show became clearer.
“Really, let’s just forget all the garbage we are facing right now. Stop reading the news; get off social media and for a couple of hours and have a good time,” he said. “Let’s have drinks, music and some unapologetic fun. Because it’s OK to do so.”
For tickets, visit TurtleCreekChorale.com.