Holiday Cheer At The Tower Theatre

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The Tower Showcases Holiday Cheer Through the Years – Songs, stories and surprises for the whole family – Hosted by City Councilors Mark Capell and Scott Ramsay

Bend, Ore. – The Tower Theatre Foundation brings five decades of Christmas traditions and winter memories to downtown Bend in three special performances Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22. The original production “A Tower Christmas: Holiday Cheer Through the Years” showcases popular stories, dances and songs, performed by Central Oregon’s leading actors and community personalities. “A Tower Christmas” is part of the Marquee Series, featuring live community theater productions, sponsored by U.S. Bank and BendBroadband.

Producer Brad Ruder, director Mike Nowak, and musical director Scott Michaelsen (“Spitfire Grill,” “Bend Follies,” “Les Miserables”), have assembled a nostalgic and humorous look at holiday incarnations from decades past:

•Cascade Chorale’s Steven Livingston in “A Christmas Story” montage

•KQAK’s Dave Clemens reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (played by Tommy Kuchulis)

•The Bend Children’s Choir performs “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”

Talented local musicians Shantae Knorr, Heather Tennant-Salvesen, Ben Larson and Nathan Snyder raise their voices in Christmas medleys from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Gotta Dance performs The Drifters’ “White Christmas.” And—spoiler alert!—St. Nick (aka attorney Terry Rahmsdorff) makes a special guest appearance.

“Plus, four stars of recent stage productions share their renditions of seasonal classics from the 1980s and 90s,” said Ruder.

•Mollie Tennant (“Spamalot”) reinterprets The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas, Darlin’”

•Ryan Klontz (“Les Miz”) sings Michael Buble’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”

•Kimmie Fountain (“The Producers”) delivers Kathy Mattea’s “Mary, Did You Know?”

•Jim Knox (“Les Miz”) croons Alabama’s “Christmas Shoes”

“We want everyone in Central Oregon to remember those carols, scenes, and stories that—as the song goes—make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year,” said Nowak. “So, come to Bend’s living room, the Tower Theatre, and enjoy some holiday cheer.”

“We are pleased to partner with the Tower Theatre Foundation in supporting local talent, including this one-of-a-kind holiday production,” said Coby Horton, Central and Eastern Oregon Region President of U.S. Bank. “Both U.S. Bank and the Tower have a long heritage of supporting the arts and culture, enriching the lives of our residents and visitors—especially during the holidays.”

The nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation owns and operates the historic stage in downtown Bend. The Foundation’s mission is to provide cultural and educational programs that make essential contributions to the region’s lifestyle and strength of community. Membership, program information and individual and group tickets are available at the box office (835 NW Wall), by phone (541-317-0700) or online (www.towertheatre.org). Details on events are also at www.facebook.com/TheTowerTheatre.

What: A Tower Christmas: Holiday Cheer Through the Years

When: Sunday, Dec. 21 – 2 & 7 pm

Monday, Dec. 22 – 7 pm

Tickets: $12 Adults

$8 Children 12 years old and under

General admission seating

Plus $2 Historic Theatre Preservation Fee

541-317-0700 or TowerTheatre.org

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