"We're excited to partner with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles in bringing It Gets Better to the stage," said It Gets Better Project's Seth Levy in a previous statement. "It's an innovative way to share these stories through live performance and music. We're especially excited that the performances will initially be in communities where LGBT youth can be particularly isolated, and where the 'it gets better' message is so desperately needed."
Written and directed by Liesel Reinhart with musical direction by Morton Kier, It Gets Better, according to the GMCLA website, "explores what 'better' means for LGBT youth through stories, songs and multimedia on an array of challenging themes. With its unqualified support of all young people, It Gets Better creates and unites allies in solidarity against the pervasive (and growing) climate of bullying and teen violence."
Following the 7:30 PM performance at the Iowa Memorial Union, It Gets Better will play the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State in February 2013. Stops are also planned in Lawrence, KS, and Seattle, WA.
The production features a six-member cast from the Gay Men's Chorus, including Jason Currie, Tyler Houston, Tod Macofsky, Mario Mosley, Sacha Sacket and Drew Tablak, whose personal stories of growing up gay are woven into the production.
The company artists will also spend a week in each community participating in a series of public events and outreach activities. Additionally, in each town, they will rehearse with 40-80 singers from local choirs who will join them on stage for a handful of numbers during the performance. It Gets Better features a combination of original songs and songs by popular recording artists, including Gnarls Barkley, Kelly Clarkson, Alanis Morissette and songwriter Diane Warren.
Columnist Dan Savage founded the national anti-bullying campaign It Gets Better in September 2010, in response to the outbreak of teenage suicides among the LGBT community.
For more information on It Gets Better, visit ItGetsBetter.org. For more information on the production, visit ItGetsBetterTour.org.
