Spectacular offers entertainment extravaganza

NANAIMO – The Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular premieres Thursday (Dec. 6).

The Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular offers a variety of entertainment from Broadway and musical theatre to traditional Christmas songs. The production premieres Thursday (Dec. 6).

The Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular offers a variety of entertainment from Broadway and musical theatre to traditional Christmas songs. The production premieres Thursday (Dec. 6).

The festive season kicks off with a spectacular array of holiday cheer combining Broadway hits, musical theatre and traditional Christmas songs.

For six years the Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular has entertained audiences with a vast array of talent and songs.

The Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular is re-written every year to bring audiences a new experience every holiday season.

The show includes tribute acts paying homage to Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and Marilyn Monroe. It lights up with musical flare during small vignettes of Singing in the Rain and Les Misérables and also includes traditional Christmas favourites such as White Christmas.

The show features performers from across Canada and one from New York. Planning for the spectacular event starts in April, and music arranger James Mark arranged 52 pieces this year.

“It’s all pretty random,” Katy Bowen-Roberts, producer and director of the show, said about the variety of entertainment.

Singing in the Rain has three songs from the musical stuffed into one single performance and Les Misérables has six songs Mark turned into a medley.

“For my family it is really a bonding experience,” said Bowen-Roberts.

She said speaking to audience members and learning about their experience of the show is something she enjoys, adding for some people the show marks the fact that the season has begun for some people.

“At the end of the show you see the smiles and people humming the tunes when they are leaving,” she said.

“It’s become a tradition for family and friends and everyone knows it’s a new show (every year),” said Bowen-Roberts. “It’s wonderful for all ages – kids, parents, grandparents – everyone enjoys it. Cedar hall is transformed into a Christmas wonderland,” said Bowen-Roberts.

The Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular has been a holiday favourite of families for six years. The show runs from Thursday (Dec. 6) to Dec. 22. There are 20 performances slated for the Cedar Community Hall this year. Show times are 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. on select days. A full listing is available at www.yellowpointchristmasspectacular.ca.

Tickets are $33 for adults, $26 students and $29 for groups. Thursday (Dec. 6) is the show’s special preview night and tickets are $26.

They can be purchase by calling 250-754-8550, at the Port Theatre box office or online at www.porttheatre.com.

arts@nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin