The Blade, July 2010
A Sissy Comes to OC
Growing up as a diminutive “sissy boy” in Chattanooga, Tenn., was neither easy nor safe for Leslie Jordan, but he learned that if he could make the bullies laugh, he could keep them at bay. With a father who was a Lt. Colonel, and both parents devout Southern Baptists, Jordan sometimes felt he had ended up in the wrong family, but out of necessity, he honed his sense of comedy, a coping mechanism that has served him well throughout his 55 years.
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The Blade, July 2010
Learning to Be a Sissy
When I heard that Orange County’s Theatre Out was staging Del Shores’ “Southern Baptist Sissies” this year, I started a countdown until the day of the auditions. I had seen the show twice in West Hollywood, and absolutely laughed my tail off.
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The Blade, December 2009
The Sound of Men Laughing This Christmas
At a time when most gay businesses and groups are dwindling, MenAlive – The Orange County’s Gay Men’s Chorus continues to grow, both on stage and in the audience. When the curtain rises on the group’s Christmas concert in December, almost 130 gay men will be seen — and heard! And oh, what a glorious sound they make!
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The Blade, July 2009
Wickedly Moving on Down the Yellow Brick Road
Since its 2003 debut on Broadway, gay audiences have been strong supporters of the award-winning musical Wicked. They relate both to its theme of being different, and its driving pop score.
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The Blade, March 2009
The Men Are Dancing In The Streets
Orange County’s Gay Men's Chorus, MenAlive, just keeps on delivering. These 120+ men, under the artistic direction of Rich Cook, continue to surpass themselves with virtually every show they present, and it looks like this month's offering will be no exception.
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OC Register, May 28, 2008
Christian musician finds happiness forming gay choir
An O.C. musician turned adversity into a new career. The result is MenAlive, which performs Saturday at the Orange County Performing Artscenter.
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Frontiers, May 14, 2008
The Anti-Diva Diva
Bernadette Peters discusses her illustrious career and her upcoming concert with MenAlive.
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Orange Coast, May 2008
Music with a Mission
The first meeting of Rich Cook’s nascent gay men's chorus was approaching and – despite a strong belief in his mission, the encouragement of friends, and auditions notices posted throughout the county – he still wasn't sure if anyone would show up. So he made a deal with God.
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New University, December 3, 2007
Holly, Jolly Gay Men
Despite the writers' strike, Hollywood came to Irvine for holiday music. MenAlive, the Orange County gay men's chorus, performed "Holly, Jolly Hollywood," its first concert of the touring season.
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IN LA Magazine, July 1, 2007
MenAlive: Rock Gods
Forget what you think you know about MenAlive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus. While the chorus is probably best known for its repertoire of jazz, classical works and show tunes, its members are getting ready to unleash their wild side.
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OC Register, December 11, 2006
Bringing the holidays to life
Review: A few fun moments at the end offset a sluggish start by MenAlive – the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus
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OC Register, July 12, 2006
Michael Feinstein will help O.C.'s Gay Men's Chorus celebrate five years.
Crooner and musical anthropologist Michael Feinstein was a natural choice to headline the fifth- anniversary concert of MenAlive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus, on Saturday at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
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The Blade, June 2006
Michael Feinstein joins MenAlive for Fifth Anniversary Show
"For our Fifth Anniversary show, we knew the time was right for a Broadway show," Cook said. "The music of Broadway has become 'America's music,' expressing our moods, emotions and needs."
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Dot News Magazine, June 2006
Michael Feinstein Joins MenAlive for 5th Anniversary Show
To celebrate the five-year milestone, MenAlive is planning its most ambitious show yet. "Curtain Up! Liglit The Lights!" a salute to Broadway, will take place Saturday, July 15 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive, Irvine). The show will feature special guest and celebrated Broadway crooner Michael Feinstein.
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The Blade, March 2004
Gay Chorus Joins Festival at OCPAC
For the first time in its celebrated 18-year history, the Pacific Chorale's annual Invitational Choral Festival will include select community choruses; and one of those choruses is from a local gay community.
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OC Register, March 15, 2003
Group has something to sing about
Dramatic. Bombastic. Serious. Sublime. On Saturday, March 22, the boys of MenAlive-The Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus will present "International Voices," the second part of its premiere trilogy season.
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Los Angeles Times, December 15, 2001
A Gay Men's Chorus of O.C.'s Own
The new MenAlive, singing a holiday program tonight in Irvine, was inspired by the success of groups in Dallas and LA.
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The Blade, December 2001
MenAlive Debut
Conductor Rich Cook's vision of creating a gay men's chorus in Orange County started with a vision after he came out.
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