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Chorus celebrates with Food Network's "Hearty Boys" This Weekend

Chicago, IL — Holiday traditions come and go, but fruitcake endures. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus dedicates its holiday show to this fruity, nutty concoction in three performances this weekend, December 7 and 8, at the Athenaeum Theatre.

In the fruitcake tradition, CGMC plans on packing the show with a little bit of everything: soaring holiday anthems, light-hearted carols and even a song that explains just how fruitcake is made. Performances include a live fruitcake-making demonstration by Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, stars of the Food Network's "Party Line with the Hearty Boys."

CGMC artistic director Patrick Sinozich has also assembled a quartet of holiday standards re-imagined in the styles of Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman and Phillip Glass. 

Once again, irreverent fun makes its way into the performance where the audience will get visits from holiday fairies, painted men and a special appearance by art expert Sister Wendy, who will uncover the hidden details in a large Nativity painting.

"'Fruit Cake' is the first course in a whole season of flaky goodness," says Sinozich. "2008 is an election year, so we're calling our spring show 'Apple Pie.' Since we're on a roll – so to speak – we're calling our pride show "Cream Puffs." And we guarantee the entire season will be calorie-free, so you can enjoy it all year without any guilt."

CGMC has made a change this year in its performance schedule. Starting this season, its Saturday performances will be at 3:00 and 8:00.

"Fruit Cake" will be performed December 7 at 8:00 pm and December 8 at 3:00 and 8:00 pm at the historic Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport.

The CGMC holiday show has become a popular stop on the Chicago holiday concert circuit, so advance tickets are recommended. They can be purchased in person at the Athenaeum Theatre box office, on ticketmaster.com or through the helpful link at cgmc.org.