Chorus hails all things John

It’s a shame that Elton John wasn’t present for the concert by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles on Saturday night at the Alex Theatre. The program, “Rocket Man: The Music of Elton John,” would surely have pleased the veteran rock star, partly because of the verve with which the Chorus approached the music, but also because one of the themes of the show, as announced by Music Director Bruce Mayhall, was to creatively illuminate, through John’s songs, the process of coming out.

The enthusiasm burst forth in the opening number as the 150 members of the Chorus -- filling the stage on a massive riser -- joyously launched into “Bennie and the Jets.” Other lively John tunes followed: “Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King”; the sardonic “The Bitch Is Back”; “Take Me to the Pilot”; “Philadelphia Freedom.” Add to that such Elton John classics as “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle In the Wind.”

The evening’s most fascinating visual entertainment -- a marvelously witty “Crocodile Rock” -- presented a black-light extravaganza (by production designer Phil Hettema featuring dancing Foamettes and singing hamburgers.

But the most affecting moments in a program of beautifully arranged and sung music took place during a pair of gay-themed medleys. The first, “Elton Comes Out Medley,” began with “The Cage” and climaxed with “The One.” The second, “Tumbleweed Connection” -- in which chorus members visually illustrated the events in an olderman’s reminiscences -- moved poignantly from “Talking Old Soldiers” to “Social Disease.” Each provided a compelling display of the Chorus’ impressive ability to blend musicality, entertainment and thoughtful commentary.