by Milton W. Hamlin - SGN A&E Writer

The Seattle Men's Chorus is putting the final touches on its 2012 Pride concert, Sing Out: You Pick the Hits. Scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening, June 22 and 23, at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall, the show (as its title suggests) is built around song requests submitted by Chorus subscribers, single-ticket buyers, and other fans in an online vote.

At SGN's deadline, 'True Colors,' ABBA's 'Dancing Queen,' Elton John's 'The Circle of Life' (from The Lion King), and Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' were heading the list. This scribe predicts that the Village People's 'YMCA' will be a winner as well.

Voting has also been heavy for a Chorus version of the 'Happy Days Are Here Again'/'Get Happy' medley from TV's legendary 1963 The Judy Garland Show, featuring a mature Garland and a very young Barbra Streisand (she was 21). The songs were respective trademarks for each artist and the resulting medley, with each woman singing individually and in an incredible duet, made television and music history. The Chorus first performed the arrangement for its fondly remembered 2006 tribute to Garland, the You Made Me Love You concert.

Other audience and Chorus favorites include 'Michael's Letter to Mama' (from Tunes From 'Tales,' adapted from Armistead Maupin's classic Tales of the City series). Expect 'Over the Rainbow' as another highlight. The super hit from The Wizard of Oz is a Chorus tradition. It will be performed in the famous (and fabulous) ukulele-accompanied version popularized in Hawaii. What a fun moment that will be.

Interactive choral or instrumental programming is a well-established, if not well-known, performance tradition. Cabaret diva Andrea Marcovicci once built an entire six-week show at the Oak Room of New York's fabled Algonquin Hotel around the concept. Patrons could request a specific song for a specific event to be sung on a specific night - 'As Time Goes By,' immortalized in Casablanca, was the most frequent request. 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco,' charmingly, was a favorite of her many Gay fans. For $100, Marcovicci (fondly remembered by local fans from appearances at Seattle's Intiman and ACT theaters) would sing any song from her wide selection of classic American Songbook titles. For $300, she would prepare a classic not in her regular repertoire. For $1,000, she and her arranger would 'delight' in working on a new (to her) title. Celebrating engagements, marriages, anniversaries, retirements ('Take This Job and Shove It' topped the thousand-dollar-song category), and other events in this way proved hugely popular (not to mention lucrative). People loved having 'their' song performed and dedicated solely to them.

In Seattle, Don Carey, pianist at the late, lamented Thumper's on Capitol Hill, developed his own version of 'by request' programming, with preprinted suggestion slips on each table. His fees were far more modest - 'Just put something in the tip jar.' Again, it made a birthday or anniversary evening truly special for Thumper's patrons.

For Sing Out: You Pick the Hits, rotating 'guest stars' will sing lead with full chorus backup. This scribe can't wait. As usual, Dennis Coleman will conduct the Chorus. Two words: Happy Pride. For information, go to www.flyinghouse.org or call (206) 388-1400.

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