About

Founded on April 1, 1987, The Wisconsin Cream City Chorus Ltd. is an organization with a rich, 24-year history and a unique place in the Greater Milwaukee area. Although many are familiar with the Cream City Chorus name, few are aware of what makes the group truly unique.

First and foremost is our message of celebrating diversity in all its forms. Originally formed as a chorus of gays, lesbians and their friends, the chorus now strives to celebrate the rich diversity of our community at large — not just the LGBT community — through the performance of quality choral music. The chorus which embraces all races and faiths, asserts that it is not enough to simply be diverse; the selection of music and message must also reflect that diversity.

Second, we are a member-controlled chorus. Every member, singing or nonsinging, has a vote. This includes board elections, approval of the Artistic Director, and even a voice in how the group moves forward into the future. Many feel this is one of the reasons the WCCC broadened its mission to celebrate diversity in all its forms. It was simply to be an official recognition by the membership of the ideals the group had already been embracing.

The WCCC has had the privilege of performing in some of Milwaukee’s most beautiful, and well-known venues including Centennial Hall, Plymouth Church, Vogel Hall, Broadway Theatre Center, Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, Village Church Arts Center, Off Broadway Theatre, Unitarian Universalist Church West, Todd Wehr Theatre and the Stackner Cabaret.

With over 60 concerts to its credit the WCCC has entertained audiences with shows featuring a diverse selection of music presented in a variety of formats. Putting its mission statement to work, a concert style known as “Signs” was developed that put American Sign Language interpreters front and center, allowing the chorus to take a back seat, becoming the accompaniment for the concert.

In 2008, the WCCC added Choral Theatre to its repertoire of presentation styles. Choral Theatre combines all the best elements of a choral concert and a theatrical endeavor utilizing choral singing, costuming, dialogue and monologue, sound, staging, scenery and visual effects to heighten the audience’s experience.

Over the years, the WCCC has also made special appearances at a wide range of civic and fund-raising events, and counts among its proudest moments appearing with Barry Manilow as his backup choir for three consecutive years during the 1990s. The WCCC has also represented Milwaukee at GALA (the international festival of Gay and Lesbian Choruses held every four years).

In February the WCCC will once again appear at the UUCW Playhouse in the provocative, entertaining and poignant look at equality "It's the Size of the Dream: a modern day parable for equality " which runs February 10 & 11, 2012.