Adriane Lenox, who won a Tony Award for her role in John Patrick Shanley's play Doubt, is a member of Broadway Inspirational Voices, one of the state's foremost Gospel choirs, headed by fellow Broadway performer Michael McElroy. She took to time to give us her thoughts on this fantastic group, which comes to The Bushnell on December 17 for a not-to-be-missed holiday show!

This is Adriane Lenox and I am a member of BIV and have been since we started about 12 years ago. Billy Porter recommended me to Michael when he was looking for singers for what was then called the Broadway Gospel Choir. There were 13 in all and it has grown to include at times 60 voices.

I have a very similar Christian background as Michael, so we hit it off early and he always tries to have a solo for me to sing. It doesn't matter to me so much, but he hears certain voices on things as he's preparing the concerts. I have done rousing gut-busting gospel solos to soprano lead spirituals.

We have tried to share the message of our faith through song all these years in our efforts to raise money for BCEFA (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), which is what prompted the concerts. We have also, because of our reputation of excellence, been invited to sing for many other events over the years, from the TONY Awards to the 2000 Op Sail celebration with President Clinton, who joked with us about passing the collection plate after we had finished our number.

The choir consists of Broadway and some off- Broadway stars representing such shows as Wicked, Chicago, Doubt, Rent, The Color Purple, Cymbeline and more.

The choir has been a blessing to those who have come to see us as well as to those of us who participate. When we don't do a concert, it is highly missed by the theatrical community who have come to look forward to being uplifted and inspired.

Adriane Lenox