The Unicycle Song
On May 16, 2025, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay performed “The Unicycle Song” by celebrated Broadway composer and lyricist Craig Carnelia, as part of their emotionally resonant concert “Tyler’s Suite / I Love the 90’s” at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. This performance was one of the most whimsical yet deeply poignant moments of Tyler’s Suite, a powerful choral work that commemorates the life and legacy of Tyler Clementi, the young gay violinist whose tragic death in 2010 became a national call to action against bullying and for greater compassion and understanding of LGBTQ+ youth.
“The Unicycle Song” offers a unique perspective within the suite—it is inspired by the reflections of Tyler’s father, James Clementi, as he looks back on a moment of childhood wonder: Tyler riding a unicycle, smiling, unafraid, simply being himself. Through Craig Carnelia’s clever and tender writing, the song balances humor with heartbreak, capturing the fragile innocence of a fleeting memory and the deep ache of a loss that can never be fully articulated.
Bringing this touching solo to life was Cody Smith-Rollins, whose performance was at once gentle, heartfelt, and quietly powerful. With clear phrasing and emotional vulnerability, Smith-Rollins conveyed the conflicting emotions embedded in the piece—pride, confusion, sorrow, and a father’s unspoken love. His delivery gave the audience space to connect to the humanity behind the music, reflecting on the complicated, evolving nature of parental relationships and acceptance.
Enhancing the song’s emotional landscape was KaleyAnna Raabe on violin, whose expressive playing mirrored the wistfulness of the lyrics, evoking both the joy of the memory and the melancholy of its absence. On piano, Kevin Wuprovided sensitive and fluid accompaniment, allowing the storytelling to shine while supporting the vocal and instrumental lines with grace and warmth.
Performed in the welcoming and affirming space of Allendale United Methodist Church, a long-standing advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, this performance of “The Unicycle Song” resonated deeply with the audience. It offered a moment of reflection not only on Tyler’s life, but on the relationships between parents and children, the importance of acceptance, and the fragility of memory.
In the broader context of the evening—which paired the emotional depth of Tyler’s Suite with the joyful nostalgia of 1990s pop culture—this piece served as a reminder that within every life, and every loss, there are moments of beauty, laughter, and love worth remembering and sharing.