Three local students will be featured in six public performances of the 74th annual Purdue Christmas Show “Christmas from the Heart” Dec. 7-9.
Lebanon High School graduates Kyle Spidel, class of 2006; Amanda Haney, class of 2007, and Blake Vogt, class of 2007, will all perform.
“Every time I get to perform in the Christmas Show, I feel like I’m living one of my biggest dreams,” said Spidel, a sophomore studying Health Sciences. “It spreads the joy and spirit of Christmas to thousands of people.”
“This year’s production showcases the talents of a cast of hundreds including 30 children from the Greater Lafayette community,” said Brian Breed, Purdue Musical Organizations director. “The performances will offer something for everyone, and we look forward to audience members heading home with a feeling of Christmas in their hearts.”
Tens of thousands see the show live each year, said Breed, who will direct for the 19th year. Millions more will see the 2006 production through international broadcasts on public television and radio networks.
Campus and community performers in the show include members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, the Purduettes, Purdue Bells, the All Campus and Community Chorale, Heart & Soul, PMO Specialties and the PMO Kids Choir.
“No two Christmas shows are alike,” Breed said. “Variety is our trademark. The show will feature music ranging from highly staged and choreographed tunes like ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ and ‘Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells’ to holiday favorites such as ‘Joy to the World’ and the ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’
“Because Elliott Hall is such an enormous space, the theatrical elements are key parts of the production with intricate lighting and towering set pieces.”
Breed gives credit for the Christmas Show orchestra to Carey Deadman, a jazz trumpeter and music arranger with Roosevelt University’s The Music Conservatory, who has arranged the professional musician orchestrations for the Christmas show for the past 10 years.
“Carey Deadman helps us put together a unique and high quality ensemble sound every year,” Breed said. “He has worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett and Stephen Sondheim. He’s also played with the orchestras for productions of ‘The Producers,’ ‘Wicked,’ and ‘Jersey Boys’ in Chicago.”
Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 7; noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 8.; and noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets are $20 for students ages 13 through college; $29 for the general public; $26 for seniors; and $17 for children 12 and under. For information or to order tickets, call (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW.
Purdue Musical Organizations also will offer a special children’s matinee at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 that will feature an entire production of Act 1. Children’s tickets are $10 for students or $8 for groups of 50 or more. For information or tickets for the matinee, call Julie Ricciardi, assistant director of PMO, at (765) 494-3947 or (800) 893-3041.
