By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The second annual Christmas Showcase, featuring “A Night of Christmas Songs,” will be performed on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14 at the Tudor House by talented local residents. This singers’ showcase will celebrate the magic of Christmas. The multi-faceted show features the students of the Lake Arrowhead Vocal Academy, plus others, performing the holiday songs of their choice.
The performances will feature vocal solos and duets. There will also be group numbers, including a high-energy rendition of “Sleigh Ride” to start the night and a touching rendition of “Christmas Time” from A Charlie Brown Christmas to end the night. Both of these songs feature the entire cast of performers, ranging in age from 8 to 80. Many of these performers have been practicing for months to bring this spectacular show to the mountain community. It is sure to get the holiday season set off on the right foot and bring the holiday spirit to all.
Some of the highlights of the evening performances are Bethany Evans, Zamira Pla and Amber Toscano performing “What Child Is This?” Amber and Jason Toscano will sing a beautiful duet and then be joined by their 9-year-old daughter, Miya, who will charm the audience with “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” This show has a wide variety of musical performances, including an enchanting, yet haunting, acapella rendition of “Precious Lord” by Zamira Pla.
Diandra Griego will be performing in the Christmas Showcase. (Contributed photo)
In addition to the musical review, Jeff and Gaye Heisler of the Heisler Theater Company will bring their cast members of the play A Christmas Carol, which will be performed the week of December 20-24 at the Tudor House, who will recite the Christmas classic of “The Night Before Christmas.”
Those who saw the Broadway Review show this music company performed last fall will remember the talented 19-year-old, TJ Roger, who was featured as a pianist and soloist. He will be bringing a professional musical versatility to the show, accompanying many of the performances.
The performers in this holiday showcase will be Amelia Jones, Diandra Griego, Zamira Pla, Mark Lujan Trujillo, Renges Fabris, Crystal Lynn Carlson, Jacklyn Maclaren, Marcel Machler, Sean Devine and Amber, Jason and Miya Toscano.
Rachel Murray is the musical instructor and director of this show; Dana Armas Merola is the production manager, Bethany Evans is the choreographer and TJ Roger is on the piano. Those running tech are Matthew Merola doing lights, Fred Ahnert in control of the sound and Sam Starr is the stage manager.
Tickets – $25 for adults, children under 12 are free – may be purchased at www.HeislerTheater.com. There will be complimentary hot chocolate and Christmas cookies to top off the delightful evening of musical entertainment.
Before the 7 p.m. show, a dinner of either chicken, beef brisket or a vegetarian dish is available at 5:30 p.m. catered by Buddy’s BBQ. Dinner prices range from $15 to $25.
Jacklyn Maclaren rehearses for the Christmas Showcase. (Contributed photo)
Rachel Murray invites everyone to attend, saying, “It’s fun for the whole family, since kids 12 and under are free. It is an old-fashioned Christmas variety show theme, with a few heartfelt words about the Christmas season and the spirit of giving. In this fast-paced world, we hope to harken back to Christmases past and remind everyone what Christmas is truly about.”
And after you see this show, you will want to spend New Year’s Eve with Murray and her band, Rachel in the Weeds, also at the Tudor House. See www.TudorHouseEntertainment.com for details and tickets.
The Tudor House is located at 800 Arrowhead Villa Road in Arrowhead Villas.
0 Comments