Maria/Alberto
One of the most inventive and side-splitting moments of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay’s “Say My Name!” concert—held on March 22, 2025, at the Jaeb Theater at The Straz Center—came in the form of a hilariously reimagined duet by Rob Tricarico and Will Hession. Drawing from the iconic Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical West Side Story, the pair transformed the soaring ballad “Maria” into a witty, modern-day sketch titled “Maria/Alberto,” chronicling the awkward and all-too-relatable realization that they had both dated—or rather, been charmed by—the same guy.
With lyrics cleverly rewritten to preserve the dramatic flair of the original song while injecting it with contemporary, tongue-in-cheek humor, Tricarico and Hession played off each other like seasoned comedic partners. The opening notes struck a tone of romantic reverence as Tricarico sang the name “Alberto” with all the tender yearning of Tony singing “Maria.” But moments later, Hession echoed the same name—“Alberto”—with puzzled recognition, prompting a series of back-and-forth lines where the realization slowly (and hilariously) dawned on them: they had both fallen for the same mysteriously charming man on what they thought was their special night.
Their voices—each strong and expressive—carried the piece vocally, but it was their acting that made it unforgettable. With expressive glances, escalating confusion, and impeccable comic timing, Tricarico and Hession turned the stage into a musical sitcom episode set to Bernstein’s sweeping melody. They mimicked the classic theatrical poses of West Side Story, even playfully over-dramatizing the swelling orchestration as their characters spiraled from romantic euphoria into betrayed bewilderment.
This number fit perfectly within the concert’s overarching theme, “Say My Name!”—a celebration of identity, names, and the stories they carry. Here, the name “Alberto” became a comedic device, a symbol of mistaken identity, and the shared source of heartache and hilarity. The reimagining of such a well-known musical theater piece into a queer, contemporary comedy sketch showcased not only the performers’ vocal talent, but also the chorus’s creative vision and playful spirit.
By the time the duet crescendoed to a dramatic, joint belting of “Aaaal-BEERRRRR-toooooo!”—the audience was in stitches. Laughter echoed through the Jaeb Theater, and the applause that followed was both for the musicality of the number and its bold, brilliant reinterpretation. Tricarico and Hession had done more than perform—they had delivered a mini musical of their own, filled with heart, humor, and a healthy dose of dramatic irony.