The Tyler Show
On May 16, 2025, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay brought wit, energy, and emotional complexity to their performance of “The Tyler Show” by Tony Award–winning composer Stephen Flaherty, as part of their powerful and dynamic concert “Tyler’s Suite / I Love the 90’s”, held at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. This piece was one of the final movements in Tyler’s Suite, a profoundly moving choral work created by a consortium of renowned composers to honor the life and legacy of Tyler Clementi, a talented young violinist and gay college student whose death in 2010 sparked a national reckoning on bullying, LGBTQ+ youth, and the responsibility of community.
“The Tyler Show” offers a unique and multidimensional portrait of Tyler—bringing forward not just the pain of his loss, but the vibrancy, humor, and complexity of his life. With music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty, best known for his work on Ragtime, Anastasia, and Once on This Island, the piece shifts from somber to satirical, from theatrical flair to quiet introspection, painting a full and human picture of a young man navigating identity, performance, family expectations, and inner freedom.
In this performance, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay embraced the theatricality and poignancy of the piece with conviction and heart. Their voices captured the shifting tones of the song—bright, quirky, ironic, and ultimately, deeply sincere. In highlighting the idea that Tyler’s life was not just a tragedy, but a story filled with individuality and spirit, the chorus brought nuance and warmth to the narrative. The piece acted almost like a “show within a show,” reflecting on the performative aspects of youth, identity, and the masks we wear in search of acceptance and self-definition.
KaleyAnna Raabe on violin added an emotional tether throughout the performance. Her instrument—an echo of Tyler’s own—brought tenderness to the theatrical pacing, grounding the song in something deeply personal and real. At the piano, Kevin Wu demonstrated impeccable musical sensitivity and versatility, capturing both the humor and the poignancy of Flaherty’s intricate score with a refined touch that kept the piece cohesive and emotionally resonant.
The performance took place in the welcoming sanctuary of Allendale United Methodist Church, a spiritual and community space recognized for its progressive commitment to inclusion, justice, and LGBTQ+ affirmation. In this affirming environment, “The Tyler Show” became more than a musical number—it became a celebration of personhood. It reminded the audience that Tyler was not defined solely by the circumstances of his death, but by the vitality of his life, his passions, and his voice.
As part of a concert that bridged the deep emotional storytelling of Tyler’s Suite with the joyful nostalgia of 1990s LGBTQ+ pop culture, “The Tyler Show” stood out as a moment of both levity and depth—a reminder that within every life, especially one cut short, lies a full narrative deserving of light, color, and humanity.