Looking Back on the Dec. 16-17^th Holiday Show for 2016

This year’s holiday show was a great success with lots of musical diversity with our outside-the-chapter talent groups. The shows were at Harris Theater on the campus of George Mason University on Friday nite, Dec. 16^th at 8 pm; and on Saturday, Dec. 17^th at 2 pm and 8 pm. The bad weather on Saturday morning was a bit of a challenge, but things worked out.  The parking garage hassles caused us to delay the start of our shows for a few minutes so more guests could make it into their seats.

 The theme was “A Family Christmas with the Harmonizers” and the show included The Reen Family Singers from the Ohio/Indiana area, the VINTAGE MIX QUARTET  from WI, guest baritone soloist Jobari Parker-Namdar; and percussionists Josanne Francis playing the steelpan and Kelton Sherry on drums.  Members of the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chapter sang with us on some special numbers, as well.  Our own a cappella group TBD sang in each half of the show. Harmonizer soloists for the show were Mickey Robertson, Jeff Burkey and Andrew Havens; plus Heather Krones from POB.   Mick Stamps was producer for this major show.

The stage was decorated with lighted trees, and many wrapped gift boxes plus some lighted box pieces.  Gift boxes also lined the path from the parking garage to the lobby.

The chorus wore red, green or blue sweat shirts with a white felt scarf in the first half, and our black suits with a solid red tie for the second half.  When the SAI members joined us, they wore black with red accent pieces.

There were some funny moments in the shows – Will Cox and Mickey Robertson did a gag bit with Mickey teaching Will how to use a cell phone while the chorus vamped during “Text Me Merry Christmas;” and Mike Edison, dressed in his auto repairman garb, explaining to show emcee, Terry Reynolds, why the chapter needs a new truck (as a hint to the audience to contribute).

There was a very special moment in the afternoon show when Joe dedicated a song to Dick and Carolyn Hall who were able to attend the matinee thanks to former chapter treasurer Bob and Sally Hoffman.  Joe said “no chapter meeting was complete without a handshake from Dick,” and then Joe left the stage and did a handshake exchange. Tough to sing a ballad after that tender moment.

Robyn Murane thanked the following volunteers for their help in making the lobby and house run smoothly; “Saundra Deltac, with help from her husband, Don Dillingham and Randall Eliason coordinated a very successful raffle, with four prizes at each show. She did a great job and put over $1000 into the AH bank account!”

 “Carol Dangel and Sandi Ulibarri sold CDs; Sandy Stamps sold White House Ornaments and fluffed the trees on the stage; Mike Mullen and Kristen Colby helped the chorus arrange their scarves; and Peggy Wagner hosted the Reen Family. Carol Fuller, Krissi Folsom, Ginny Wells, Ninamarie Maragioglio, Patti Edison, Naida Harrington, Judi Kern, Charity Struthers, and Lydia Golden sold raffle tickets, stuffed programs, sold raffle tickets, answered patrons’ questions and sold raffle tickets. Sam McFarland acted as goodwill ambassador. This year's Holiday Show volunteers did their very best, in a very cold lobby, and made each patron feel welcomed!!!”

 

Thanks to the members who donated or solicited items for the raffle.

Rich Payton and his family hosted VINTAGE MIX for the weekend too (at one point the Reens joined them so there were 17 kids all at one table!).

 

In addition to all the guys on the risers (plus producer Mick Stamp and production assistant Ben Roberts), attendance-meister Keith Jones reports the following current or former chapter members attended one or more of the shows: Dennis Ritchey, Tim Buell, Jacob George, Shawn Tallant, Phil Ashford, Mike Moncibaiz, Jeremy Richardson, Sam McFarland, Dean Sherick, Walt Page, Martin Banks, Bill Colosimo, Austin Cotton, Ken Fess, Ross Johnson, Lew Klinge, Dave Reyno, Joe Wagovich, Bede Bender, Len Dornberger and John Thompson

 

This weekend was the first performance (and definitely their first Holiday Show) for Johan Westberg (bari) and Derrick Smith (bass).

 

Thanks to our music team for helping us prepare for the show and for creating another great musical experience for our families, friends and patrons: Joe Cerutti, director; Tony Colosimo, associate director; Carlos Barillo, choreographer; Terry Reynolds, assistant director and executive director; the section leaders; and Reed Livergood, musical director for TBD.

There was a fun afterglow on Saturday nite at Oh George Tap and Tables across the street from the campus.  There was lots of tag singing, performances by our guests and good food and fellowship. Ken Rub made arrangements for the location.

Here is the historical record of the songs on the show:

Act I

armonizersHHarmonizers – “Welcome Christmas,”  “What’s This?” with Jeff’s solo and “Let It Snow”

Vintage Mix – three songs

Harmonizers – “Text Me Merry Christmas” (We had fun with this one – many chorus members played with their cell phones and texted each other during the song!)

TBD – “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

Harmonizers – “White Christmas”

Act II

Reen Family – a variety of vocal and instrumental numbers including  “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (boys barbershop quartet THE REEN BROTHERS)

 Reen Family and Vintage Mix together for “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

 Harmonizers – “O Come O Come, Emmanuel,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” followed by audience sing-along “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night,” “Gloria” with Mickey solo, “Mary Had a Baby” with Jobari solo

 TBD – “We Three Kings”

Harmonizers – “This Little Light of Mine” with Jobari and SAI, “Kyrie” with percussion and SAI

All – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with curtain calls

The riser crews worked hard to get things set up Friday nite despite traffic with many members lending a hand on stage for set up and take down. Matt Doniger was Harmo truck driver for the weekend.

Until next time – editorjack!

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd