MARTIN MAJKUT

It is a dream come true: a festive program of the kind I wanted to give you since long ago, presented in the vaulted halls of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Classic tunes associated with this enchanted season will complement great hits from the world of musicals and pop music.

 

Having Steffi Leigh here is a special treat and the fact that she hails from this part of the world feels like a sprinkling of holiday magic. I know this music will all be performed to perfection by the RVS musicians. Being in Angus Bowmer Theater will add that extra bit to make this concert go over the top. 

 

Putting this program together, I started with the music I most associate with winter holidays. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker was the first number on my list, followed by the eternally popular Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson. Then I thought, what else makes me crave eggnog? I added March of the Three Kings, O Holy Night, Hannukah songs and Christmas carols to the list. 

 

The next order of business was to balance all this dreamy music with fun tunes. Here came The Polar Express, The Night before Christmas with a great narrative part, and the utterly hilarious The Twelve Gifts of Christmas, which quotes a number of popular classical music pieces. 

 

The cherry on top was adding vehicles for Steffi to shine: My Favorite Things, of course, and then Merry Christmas Darling, which we had arranged specifically for her by a famed Hollywood arranger. I think it is okay to go a bit over the top for the most special time of the year!

 

Welcome to the avalanche of fun. We are so happy to have you Home for the Holidays!