In the key of Christmas
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Pacific Symphony will play Christmas-themed show tunes and other popular songs with singers and dancers today and Saturday. Only four days remain until “The Nutcracker” makes its traditional stop at Segerstrom Hall, but audiences don’t have to wait until then for a Christmas-themed performance.
The Pacific Symphony and special guests are offering a holiday treat beginning tonight at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
Call it the “Pre-Nutcracker Extravaganza,” or by its actual name, “Hollywood Holiday Spectacular.”
Led by Richard Kaufman, principal pops conductor, the Pacific Symphony will perform Christmas favorites from movies and musicals as Broadway stars and dancers perform on stage.
“It’s one of my favorite parties celebrating all the moods of Christmas,” Kaufman said. “It’s not a holiday concert, it’s a Christmas concert.”
Though he said there is one short piece celebrating Hanukkah.
“Everyone’s so afraid these days to say the word Christmas. I don’t get it. This is a show that celebrates all the fun and excitement.”
The performance includes music from the movie “White Christmas,” scores from the original and remade version of “Miracle on 34th Street” and a tribute to Fred Astaire.
Orange County native Susan Egan will join vocalist Doug LaBrecque on stage to sing a combination of Broadway tunes and hit songs.
Egan, a movie and musical actor, has starred as “Belle” in “Beauty and the Beast,” and in productions such as “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” LaBrecque, a soloist who has performed with numerous orchestras, has been in the cast of “The Phantom of the Opera,” among other shows.
The two will perform solos, duets and in other arrangements, Egan said. Dancers Kirby Ward and Joan Hess will also join them on stage.
“It’s interesting for symphony lovers who haven’t seen the symphony perform often,” Egan said. “This adds more visual stimulation. These songs were written to be danced along to.”
During the second half of the performance, Gavin MacLeod of “The Love Boat” and “Mary Tyler Moore Show” fame will read the poem “The Night Before Christmas” with the Pacific Symphony playing behind him to a John Williams orchestration.
“It just captures you and takes you away,” MacLeod said. “There’s a spirit that comes over people. This is an evening that will make people happy and forget what’s going on in the world today.”
After the reading, MacLeod said he will conduct Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” He has previously guest-conducted the Cape Symphony Orchestra.
Kaufman, who has been a part of more than a handful of Christmas performances, said he is always moved by the spirit in the concert hall.
“It’s Christmas trees, lighting and decorations,” Kaufman said. “The stars are the music, the singers and the orchestra.”
The Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale and guest vocalists will perform Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Led by Associate Conductor Michael Hall, the production features sopranos Heather Buck and Stephanie Novacek, tenor Nicholas Phan and bass-baritone Andrew Gangestad.
IF YOU GO
* WHAT: Pacific Symphony’s Hollywood Holiday Spectacular
* WHEN: Today and Saturday, 8 p.m.
* WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Segerstrom Hall
* COST: $28 to $106
* INFO: For more information, call the ticket office at (714) 755-5799; or go to www.pacificsymphony.org
20051209ir7hy8kn(LA)Pops conductor Richard Kaufman will lead the Pacific Symphony in a Christmas concert called Hollywood Holiday Spectacular.
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