San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus To Bring IT GETS BETTER Tour To Park City

As communities across the country move to rollback hard-won rights or advance anti-LGBTQ legislation (see President Trump's recent efforts to ban transgender people from serving in the military), the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC), in collaboration with the It Gets Better Project and Speak Theater Arts, is bringing its message of hope and inclusiveness through its it gets better tour to LGBTQ youth in Park City, UT, February 5-9, 2019.

>From February 5-8, the it gets better cast will be participating in residency activities in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Provo. These activities include attending GSA meetings, holding discussions with community members around topics of bullying and how to be a strong ally, performing an anti-bullying assembly at a local area high school, and recording a PSA with local youth. The cast will also have a structured roundtable discussion with local community members around the climate for LGBTQ youth in the area. Community Partners include Park City High School, Park City Rotary Club, Encircle Provo, Encircle Salt Lake City, Equality Utah, and the Pride Center.

The residency will culminate in a mainstage performance that is equal parts wit, whimsy, empowerment and inspiration. In this 90-minute production, real-life stories the it gets better cast heard on the road at previous tour stops will be interwoven with exciting musical numbers followed by a Q&A between the cast and community members. Presented by Park City Institute at the Eccles Center (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City, UT), the production takes place Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 and available now online at https://tickets.parkcity.institute/.

"At its core, the it gets better tour is a message about change. Therefore, it's no surprise that our show is always evolving to capture new stories and respond to changes in the world around us," said Writer and Director Liesel Reinhart. "Some of my favorite stories in the show are those we collected on our travels around the country. You'll actually meet people we met on the road through the production whose experiences are now a part of the fabric of the performance itself. We also have a few surprises in store-as well as some show-stopping musical numbers from our talented cast."

"Our performance this week features the extraordinary story of Jay who has become a hero to many of us," said Chris Verdugo, Executive Director of SFGMC. "It tells of Jay's struggle, his attempt at suicide, his acceptance of his true gender and how through pain and joy, it has gotten better for him, his wife, his children and how he pays it forward. That's empowerment!" He continues, "I'm honored and grateful to be part of the ground-breaking outreach programs we are expanding at SFGMC. We're not only helping transform lives, we're changing the future for a new generation. Together we can be a beacon and inspire others to join us along the path of hope and love."

The it gets better tour has traveled throughout the country for the past five years; SFGMC became the new sponsor organizational home for the tour in 2018.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help shepherd the it gets better tour in its new incarnation in 2019. It's a perfect match for SFGMC's strategic plan and mission to help those who need it most at home and beyond the San Francisco Bay Area." said Verdugo. "The program promises to make for a musical experience like none other in recent years!"