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CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES FILL HOLIDAY CALENDAR
by Bob
Lowe
(Dec.
1, 2004)
Even before December arrived, area residents had the privilege
of seeing TV and movie star Richard Chamberlain in the title
role of a new national tour of "Scrooge" at the
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton (Nov. 16-21).
Other Christmas-related performances included, "The Christmas
Schooner Musical" at the Door Community Auditorium in
Fish Creek (Nov. 26-27), Michael Martin Murphy – Cowboy
Christmas" (Nov. 27), the opening of "Parade of
Ornaments: A Victorian Christmas" at Hearthstone Historic
House in Appleton (Nov. 28), the Charles Dickens holiday classic,
"A Christmas Carol," featuring Troupe America at
the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh (Nov. 26-28) and a benefit
concert by the male a capella group, Cantus, on Nov. 28 at
the First English Lutheran Church As we enter into December,
there is no shortage of events to commemorate the season and
to put you in a holiday mood.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that you can attend
a Christmas event nearly every day of this month. The Grand
Opera House will be presenting "A John Berry Christmas"
at 7 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 1, while the "Christmas Stars
2004" preview show will be held that same evening at
7 p.m. at the Xavier High School Fine Arts Theater, 1600 W.
Prospect Ave., Appleton. Rebel Alliance Theater will present
its version of "A Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m. Thursday
Dec. 2 at the Omro Wedding Chapel, 205 Adams St., in Omro.
The Meyer Theatre in downtown Green Bay has booked "The
Boys of the Lough – A Celtic Christmas" at 7:30
p.m. Thursday Dec. 2. For several decades, the performance
of Handel’s"Messiah" signaled the arrival
of the Christmas season at the Lawrence University Memorial
Chapel. In recent years, the performance has been sporadic.
But Handel’s masterpiece will make a most welcome appearance
at the Chapel at 8 p.m. Friday Dec. 3, with the Lawrence Symphony
Orchestra, Concert Choir, Chorale and Women’s Choir,
all under the direction of Richard Bjella.. Tickets for adults,
senior citizens and students are all $10 each. Call quickly
for reservations (920-832-6749 between 12:30-5:30 p.m. as
tickets tend to disappear fast. The Nutcracker Ballet, presented
by the Fox Valley Symphony and the Moscow Classical Ballet
Company, will be staged once again at the Fox Cities Performing
Arts Center in Appleton Friday and Saturday Dec. 3-4 (for
ticket information, log onto www.foxcitiespac.com).
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever begins an extended run
at the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh on 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec.
3. If you can afford the $110 ticket price, reservations are
still available for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at 8 p.m.
Friday Dec. 3 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Also in Green
Bay that same evening from 6-10 p.m. at the Neville Public
Museum, 210 Museum Place, is "Christmas on the Fox."
The Appleton Art Center will open its "Festival of Trees"
reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday Dec. 3. Washington Irvin’s
Old Fashion Christmas will be held from 3-8 p.m. Saturday
Dec. 4 at Heritage Hill State Historical Park, 2640 S. Webster
St., in Green Bay. The Neenah Community Christmas event has
been scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 4 at
various sites in Neenah while the "Race for the Light"
will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 4 at Menominee Park in
Oshkosh, with proceeds going to the Christine Ann Domestic
Abuse Services in that city.
The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum’s Holiday Open House is
set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 4 at 165 N. Park Ave.,
in Neenah. Michael W. Smith will appear in concert at 7:30
p.m. Sunday Dec. 5 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Kathy
Mattea’s "Songs of the Season" can be heard
at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 7 at the Weidner Center in Green
Bay, 2420 Nicolet Dr., in Green Bay. The two-time Grammy Ward
winner will be performing songs from here recent holiday album,
"Joy for Christmas Day," which features a mix of
popular and lesser known songs. Tickets range from $17-$33.
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Explanade Orchestra makes
a return appearance at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
in Appleton at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 8.. Tickets are $50,
$70 and $90. On that same evening at the same time is "Cherish
the Ladies Celtic Christmas" at the Weidner Center. For
the outdoor types and nature lovers, there is a special treat
for you, "Christmas for the Birds," at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday Dec. 9 at the Bay Beach Sanctuary, 1660 East Shore
Drive in Green Bay.
The Dallas Brass will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Dec. 10 at the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh. That same evening
at 7:30 p.m., the Dudley Birder Chorale will present its annual
Holiday Pops Concert at the Weidner Center in Green Bay. Another
welcome presence at this time of the year is pop pianist Lorie
Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra, who will be making its
annual appearance at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
in downtown Appleton at 8 p.m. Friday Dec. 10. This year’s
concert is titled "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
featuring such classic holiday favorites as "White Christmas,"
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause," "I’ll
Be Home for Christmas," "Angels We Have Heard On
High" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
A CD with these and many other selections will be on sale
at the concert. "This is the first time I’ve ever
done this," Line said. "We’ve found that many
people walk away from the show saying," ‘I want
the music they played tonight.’" Don’t forget
to bring your bell to the concert, which will have the feel
of old Hollywood with costumes straight out of the 1940s.
For those looking for a jazzy edge to the Christmas season,
check out Janet Planet Trio’s "Holiday Concert"
at 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 10, which also features the Faith Community
Celebration Choir at Faith Community Church in Waupaca. Another
holiday tradition is "A Festival of Lessons and Carols,"
sponsored by the Appleton Boychoir at the Lawrence Memorial
Chapel at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 11. For tickets call
920-739-1689.
The kids will enjoy "Breakfast With Santa" at 8
and 10 a.m. Saturday Dec. 11 and at 10 a.m. Sunday Dec. 12
at the Appleton Art Center in downtown Appleton. Call 920-733-4089
for additional details. Although it is not a Christmas show,
you might want to check out "Evita," one of Andrew
Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s most popular collaboration,
scheduled for the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Dec. 14-19.
Winner of 7 Tony awards, "Evita" brings to life
the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of
former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron, who captivated a nation
by championing the working class.
The musical includes that classic selection, "Don’t
Cry For Me Argentina." Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday,
2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets
are $34 to $64. Last but not least, the "Colors of Christmas"
tour makes its first stop at the Fox Cities Performing Arts
Center in downtown Appleton on Dec. 22 featuring James Ingram,
Peabo Bryson Marily McCoo and the female vocal trio of En
Vogue. These legendary pop musicians will be joining forces
with a full orchestra and gospel choir to perform their chart-topping
hits and traditional Christmas favorites. Tickets are $29
and $59. This popular show you don’t want to miss.
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