I donned my gay holiday apparel for this afternoon’s Seattle Men’s Chorus (SMC) matinee at Benaroya Hall. These guys–all 300 of them–never cease to impress me with their originality and unity.

For their 34th season opener, the group welcomed Broadway and TV star Levi Kreis, as the guest artist for the opening weekend of their holiday offering , Play it Again, Santa. In 2005 Levi released his debut album and has since released five studio albums and performance recordings. In 2010 he received the Tony Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical” for his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet (he also appeared in the pre-Broadway production at Village Theatre in 2007 in the same role).

If you have never seen SMC, see them this holiday season. If you’ve seen them before, see them again. I attend annually, and this was their best yet. For two hours, this crew issued its commanding musicianship, expert vocals, whimsical humor and sparkling theatrics. Holiday favorites on the setlist include, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” in addition to SMC’s signature holiday piece, “Silent Night.”

Ten holiday shows, running November 30– December 22, 2013, are a must-see for the season. There will be eight concerts performed at Benaroya, plus two outreach performances in Tacoma and Everett. For the second consecutive year, SMC is partnering with Lifelong AIDS Alliance during the Seattle concerts. Canned goods will be accepted and will be used in Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s food program, Chicken Soup Brigade.

Tickets for Seattle performances are $28-$78. Tickets for the Everett performance are $23-$43. Both Seattle and Everett concert tickets are available at SeattleMensChorus.org or (206) 388-1400.

Founded in 1979, the internationally renowned Seattle Men’s Chorus, along with Seattle Women’s Chorus (founded in 2002), are the largest community choruses in America; and the largest gay choruses in the world. Flying House Productions, home of Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus, ranks third among the state’s music organizations with more than 300 members of SMC and more than 250 members of SWC.