A bomb threat shut down the Alex Theater in Glendale during a performance by The Gay Men’s Chorus Los Angeles today. The entire theater was evacuated shortly after the opening number during the GMCLA’s matinee showing of The Pink Carpet, The Portrayal of LGBTQ People in Film. The show highlights many of the iconic films that have depicted LGBTQ culture. It includes a special appearance by Emmy Award-winner actor, comedian, and LGBTQ activist Leslie Jordan. The show has a scheduled run of performances on Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24.
The show began as scheduled with a choral performance of a 20th Century Fox themed number called Let’s go to the Movies. According to reports, Jordan came on stage and did his bit to massive applause. Then the stage manager stepped on stage to tell everyone that they had leave the building.
“Someone called bomb threat in,” said WEHO TIMES contributor Mike Pingel, who was in the audience. “We’re all sitting outside. They said we could go back in around 3:15 to see the remainder of the show.”
GMCLA member Patrick Beller – Photo by Mike Pingel“It was really scary,” said Gay Men’s Chorus Los Angeles member Patrick Beller, who could not hold back tears. “We did the opening number. Leslie Jordan came out and the audience applauded. Then the stage manager came out and said that the curtain is coming down. We are are evacuating. We didn’t know what the fuck was going on backstage. Then were like, ‘OK, I guess we’re evacuating,’ and we exited through the back parking lot and the police told us outside the theater that it was a bomb scare. Somebody called in a bomb scare. We are so shook up. I am. This has never happened before. It’s really scary.”
Photo by Mike PingelThe matinee performance was supposed to continue after a thorough sweep of the theater, however, ticket holders were informed that the show for the day was canceled. Tonight and tomorrow’s performances will continue as scheduled. Ticket holders were asked to vacate the area. Tickets for that performance will be refunded. The surrounding area was completely closed off. Bomb-sniffing dogs were seen entering the building.
“I don’t know how I feel about going back in that theater,” Beller added whose family flew in from Cleveland to see him perform. “I’m in shock. It’s a bummer. We just want to have fun and be free and sing. To have that happen here is really upsetting, but I agree with the politics of it. We’re not going to let them stop us.”
To purchase tickets for Gay Men’s Chorus Los Angeles, visit gmcla.org/gmcla3/.
